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T£*tfrfeum H ^n&esiigaium
2L §b. ^tpstiuttKi busier
Post Office Box #812
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i Chic ago,Illinois
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Personal and
August 6th, 195s
Mr. N*th*n.
Mr.ToUon.J
Mr. B.ajhn.n,
CUtf CUrk
Jlr.’
Sir. Foxworth I U»M«
>tr. Iljirbo
| Mr, Jo*rph
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i‘M>. letter
■ Ur.
Mr. ScheMt,.........
*lr. SthMtr,.,.^,
f Mr. Tua> .kL.._
[.Mr. Tr»p « AM* «» •
Miu'Uaaty..
Director
•Federal Bureau of Investigation |
United States Department of Justice
Pennsylvania Ave. at 9th St., N. W.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
%
With further reference to my letter of August 3rd, 1935, I
desire to advise that.I have now been informed that Mr. 11. H.
Purvis and "King" Levinsky, the boxer, are to appear as guests
on Rudy VaHee*s radio program Thursday night, August 8th,
1935.
On August 5th, 1935, Mr. Butterfield of the Western Union Tele¬
graph Company, while talking with the writer stated that he had
received word from their New York Office indicating that Mr. M.
H. Purvis was seeking a connection apparently with the Western
Union Telegraph and Mr. Butterfield stated that it seemed
peculiar to him that Mr. Purvis had to discuss his arrangements
with the New York Office when he could have discussed it with
the Chicago Office of the Western Union Telegraph.
Mr. Butterfield stated that indications were that ’Mrs- Purvis,
might secure a connection in New York or with a law firm in
Chicago;which was associated with and represented by Western
Union Telegraph Company in Chicago. At the first available
opportunity I will attempt to secure more information concerning
this matter from Mr. Butterfield, who indicated that this connec¬
tion was not anticipated until such time as Mr. Puipisjmdy
completed his "writing”. ^ £ ™0x
Mr. Julius Frankenberg, who, you recall, recently, visited Was^
ington and transcribed the speech of the Attorney General on a
new recording device which he has perfected, and who, it is
recalled, anticipates a return visit to Washington in the near
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' FEDERAL BURFAU OF INVESTIGATION
,i .ao^AUB W 1935 ■ : y
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U.S.DEPT.OF JUSTICE
AUG08I935K1
DIRECTOR
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future in connection with*a,demonstration of this same device,
has informed Mrs. Mankin*of this Office that Ur. Purvis intends
to associate with him in .the , production and sale of this instru¬
ment. I shall make it my business’ to discreetly discuss this
matter with Mr., Frarikeriberg at the earliest possible moment,and
inform you thereof..
Very truly yours,
DMLjIJH T. U. LADD ^
Special Agent in Charge
FSRSgBAL ABP iaiyH»miIjCr "
Ms*, J. Sdgar Soever, Director
federal Bureau of Investigation
U. 3, Department of Justice
Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th St*!?*??.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir ;
Closed herewith is a copy of the Hollywood Sopor ta r,
iasoe of July SO, 1955, which carries an it am on the frost page
indicating that Kelvin Parris, former Special Agent Is this war-*
rice, is being offered to the notion picture industry ae a twriter
and technical edrlsor on so-called "G-men pictures’• The article
indicates that Sal*nick and Joyce represent Parris*
I her® hef rd nothing eonseruing this matter, from my
various contacts in the picture industry, and do not know whether
the report appearing in the publication enclosed is authentic* I
know nothing concerning the reputation of the SelsnicWoyoe Agency,
Should you deem It advisable so to do, I will be very glad
to make discreet inquiries for the purpose ef verifying this report;’^'
and also will be glad to make appropriate inquiries for the purpose
determining whether or not any of the major studios ere displaying r
any interest in the matter*
I also suggest, for your consideration, the thought that it
might be desirable for the Bureau to officially designate and publicly
announce that an Agent or Bureau executive ie available to the indue*
try far the purpose of cooperation and teehniaal advica ta mli branches
of the industry on problems possessing mutual interacts
TSPD.’AB
Sac,
AIB SAIL
; > Tv J r s’-
Tery truly yours,
CTtKAM
Attguot 6, 1935
UMOlAlSeft FOR THE DIRECTOR
Ebr. Whltloy tolophoaod from How fork oa August lot, to advioo that
«r. Eooooy wo parooooding to Woshlaftoa in tho noor futaro to ne tho Diroctor,
•nd to wtoblioh hlaoolf boot Hooh lngton for *pprojci»*t#ljr thru* mlui, during
*Woh tlao ho propoooo to *rlto o book dooliag with <ur*ao aottoro*
Hr. MooMgr odriood Hr. fffcitlogr thot ip* FujrVio’ Chicago roprooonUtiTo
i* Doaiol R*ojr, of tho 7*or Adrortioiag Coaptajr, odd that thio coqpaqr to
pabltohing »p* Forrlo* book. Hr, kooaoy ftortbor odriood Hr. Wdtloy th*t
ho no* aadorotaodo that tho book U to bo ttood la oorial fora, to tho Rod
Rook aagaslao*
Boopoctfailjy
Clyde Tolooo.
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FEDER -' •>
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J|WTMENT OF JUST*P
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JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
CtJBC
Stetoral Sitreau of Jmipjsttgatum
$.&.2kpartttmit of Sluatirr
JUasIjltt0tmi, 0. (£.
August 8, 1935.
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
Mr. Whitley telephoned on Wednesday afternoon, stating that Martin
Mooney has now signed contracts for two books with the McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company, and will be in Washington Friday morning. He
stated that Mooney was having luncheon on Wednesday with Dr. Robert
Scully, physician at Sing Sing Prison, from whom Mooney hopes to
obtain a great deal of valuable data for use in his book on the parole
system.
Mr. Mooney advised Mr. Whitley that the Fed Book organization has
rejected the first three chapters of MrC/Purvis* forthcoming book.
^he publishers advised Mr. Eurvip that these chapters would have to
be rewritten and they told Mr. Mooney that the earliest date the
articles could now be published would be beginning on January 7.
Mr. Mooney also advised Mr. Whitley that the first three chapters
contained a vicious attack against the Bureau and cited as an instance
that Purvis had criticised the Bureau for taking credit from the police
in certain cases.
Mr. Mooney did not disclose the source of his information, but advised
Mr. Whitley that he had secured the information at the offices of (the
Bed Book publishers in New York City.
CTiACS
Aogeet 15, 1935
h-
MRMinaraii ra* z>ia*cioi«-
Ret 8. S. UMBJa, SpeeUl Agent.
Special Agent 8* 8* Bentley of tbe IttiffiUt
Offlee vboee nilmUm bif been reeoeateft beoeuee
of leak of iatooeot end feller* to develop, eeo
rife—niltd far appolateont by foroer Agent in Cherfe
tort*.!/
Beapeetfolly,
Clyde *oleoB.
- JL*! 1 ',
J.'b 1
C OP I ‘
EAT:CSR:CDW FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Washington, D. 0.
August 2, 1935.
Time - 8 P.M.
MEMORANDUM FOR -THE DIRECTOR.
, R,e« J phn 'Dillinger.
Special Agent in Charge Blake telephoned me From the
Dallas Office advising that Special Agent C. 0. Hurt had just
, returned to the Dallas Of fie,where %. Blake had .questioned him
as per my Request, concerning the instructions Issued by Mr.
Colley' and Mr. Purvis on the afternoon preceding the -fatal .
shooting of John Dillinger in Chicago, Mr. Hurt advises that
the Instructions, issued jointly by Mr. Cowley and Mr. Furvis,
ware to the effect that Dillinger was to be seized if possible?
that he. Hurt, was one of those delegated to seize Dillinger*
Mr. Hurt advised further that both Mr* Cowley and Mr'. Purvis
were In accord on the instructions and agreed oh them* ~~
1 instructed Mr,. Blake to have Mr. Hurt prepare and.
f submit to the Director at once a statement in detail ;as to the
instructions issued concerning this matter, and by whom the
instructions were issued, and to forward the statement to
Washington by air mail and .special delivery today.
Respectfully,
’ ' ' ^ (S) E. A. TAMM
, E. A. TAMM ,,
MN It 1984
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August 19# 1935*
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fis* Articles by Melvin Purvis
In & telephonic conversation with Mr, Keith
vho ms in Im fork City he stated he had seen
Melvin Purvis »ho had Indio*ted that his articles
would begin appearing in the Xovesber issue of
"Redbook' 1 j and tbit he farther indicated the
articles would be of e critical nature*
j. £. a.
. Mr. Nathan
Mr, To!*on
■Mr. Baokus, f .-
Mr. Baughman,,'
Chief Clerk
' Mr. Ctegg
Mr, Coffey
Mr. Bdwards I
Mr. ,
Mr, Harbo„„.„„ ;
Mr. Keith
Mr, tester ,,,,.,,,
Mr. Quinn
Mr, Qchltder,...,,'
.Mr..Smith
Mr, Tamm,.,,,.,,
Mr. Tracy
<, Miss,Candy,
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JOHN f EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
Jjjefreral. ^Bureau of
Jl- J5. ^Ofjjnrfmtttt of ^wsficc
^Uasfttttgfon, ^1-
August 22, 1935.
Tine - 3i04 P. M.,
MEMORANDUM
Res Articles written for .Redbook by
MelvinPurvis.
b
Mr*
Mr,.Trfsoa,fe^.
Mr. Dau^Junui
,Ck iet CI*rk
Str. CoOy
Mr. Edwards .......
Mr. X'saix
Mr. Eo*wortJ»
Mr. llnio
Mr. JostpJa,
S*r* '■■■..........
Mr. lAsltx ..
Mr. Qitoa,.
Mr. SciieWt
Mr. Svkiid»r.........
< -m
Mr. 1W£3., w .,.„.
Mr. Tracy..
[ MSsa Gasdy,.........
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»*»»•»-**»*af»..**jaa«» mmmmma I
Mr. Fnitley telephoned fron New York city and stated Martin Mooney
called on hin and told hin his book agent George Bye, is very close to the
Redbook people and Is keeping Mooney inforned about Purvis’ articles. Bye’s
interest being that Mooney can regulate the tenor of his book. Mr. ’Whitley
stated Mr. Mooney said that.recently after Redbook had turned down the first
three.articles subaitted by Purvis and.had set January 1936 as the tine for the
first article to appear, ‘that they heard about Mooney's book and then called
Purvis to New York, gave hin a staff writer who is now rushing a re-write of
those first three articles and that they plan to,get then into Redbook as soon
as ;possible,. perhaps by November? that Purvis will publish about eight articles
, and will receive about;$200 per article. Mr. Whitley further stated that in
1 reply to his inquiry Mr. Mooney stated he knew the general tenor of Purvis’
(articles which have been subaitted, is to give the local police credit.for things
"the Bureau has been doing? that Mr. Mooney said -this, coning froo Purvis,
amounts to direct criticism of the Bureau. Mr. Whitley stated that in view of /
this,'Purvis could still state he was not criticizing the 'Bureau and I agreed,
stating it was.merely a question of interpretation? that,Mr. Mooney said this
is the reason Redbook is buying the articles as they are insisting the element of
, playing ;uj> the local police be present.
J. E. H.
X&R03
JfW 191984
DIRECTOR >
,TDQ:A
iF^umu of ^nfostt^atuw
p. ^.ptjKtrfmtni cf justice
„ piasIjm^tmT, P- <K.
August 21, 1935 ,
.MEMORANDUM'FOR MR. TOLSON
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AUgU3t 21, 1935- , •U.JVr.orU,.
Mr* Ujrfe® .-<•*-*--*
" ‘cONFTPfiNTl^fr '' to. jp,-.ph
to. L^tttr
MEMORANDUM* FOR MR. TOLSON to. q^........„..
Jlr. Sc!i®Idt ,..™,*..»
- ■ to* ScMtor.,..„_
:tr.T»iciam
, ,to. Tracy....._
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In compliance with.yourrrequest, a search’of the.Bureau^
files .has been made as far back as January, 1934, and they reflect*"**" *
the following information with r regard to invitations tendered> former . ‘■-■VZ.'ll.J-
Special Agent in Charge Purvis to appear and speak .before various
conventions:
On May > 8,’1935 Mr. J. J. McDermott, Chairman
Convention Committee, Iowa State Policemen's
Association, Davenport, "Iowa, addressed 1 a
communication to the.Director requesting that
Mr. Purvis be permitted to attend the convention
and talk before* one of the-sessions.
A reply to :this communication went forth to Hr.
McDermott under date of May 14, 1935 expressing
the Director's regret that other commitments
would make*it impossible for Mr; Purvis to attend,
.suggesting, howeverj that in the event they^desired
another representative of the.Bureau to.speak before
the convention.he wouldgladlygive the request
further’• consideration,. stating .that he .would be
pleased to designate- one’ of the administrative
officials,of the-Bureau in Washington to act as a
speaker.. .A reply was received“from this letter
dated * May 18,. arid ‘ under - date of • May. 27, 1935
Special Agent inCharge Dowd‘was designated "to
speak before 1 the convention to^be held'at DavenpMfcC^I.XEROX
speak before 1 the convention to^be held'at DavenpjpfcClII XEROX
See Bureau File 62-20750 serials 57'and*58.. 19 1984
AUG 291935." ig\- 14 M- #■&■&
stating that;Mr.;.MLva-iAnapkin, :President ofAth^ 1935 H.
State Bar Association of South'Carolina, advised
■that the Executive Committee of that 'Association 5 5115 '' * of fI- E
was exceedingly anxious to have * MrlrMSIVIKTPurvis
Memo, for Mr. Tolson
-2-
8-21-35
attend the neeting of the South Carolina Bar
Association on March 7th in recognition of the
splendid work he had rendered as an employee
of the Department of Justice, the Senator stating
that he would appreciate it if the Attorney
General would * have the proper official of the
Department authorize Mr. Purvis to attend. Under
date of March l,,l935 a letter 1 was received by
the Director signed'by Special Agent in Charge
Stapleton of the Charlotte Office?advising he
was in receipt of a letter from Assistant United
States'Attorney E. P. Riley dated February 27,
informing him of the meeting of the South Carolina
State Ear Association at Columbia, South Carolina,
on March 7th and 8th, and advising that according
to the program sent <out in advance former Special
Agent in Charge Purvis was scheduled to make an
address. Special Agent in Charge Stapleton was
advised'under date of March 2nd that Mr. Purvis
was attending a special course.of instruction
and would be unable to.appear and speak before
the South Carolina Bar Association.
Under date of March 2, 1935 a letter was sent to
Mr. Purvis requesting him to advise the Bureau
whether he.had accepted any invitation from the
South Carolina Bar Association to address that
meeting on March 7th or 8th. Under date of March
5th a letter was received from, Mr. Purvis stating
that H as I recall, I received an invitation from
the President of the South Carolina Bar Association
sometime during the latter part of last year. At
that time I replied to the invitation, informing
him that in view of the pressure of work or previous
commitments I would not be able to accept. 1
forwarded from Chicago to the.Bureau in Washington
a copy of the letter from the President of the Bar
Association, together with a copy of my reply. I
did not accept the invitation."
The file concerning this matter fails to>*reflect
the data Mr. Purvis states he forwarded to the
Bureau. 19
1984
See Bureau file 62-34676 - serials 1,. 2 & 3.
Memo, for Mr. Tolson
-3-
8-21-35
Under date of January 31, 1935 a letter was directed to
the Bureau by Mr. William A. Rogers, Director of the
Juvenile Police Schools of America, Chicago, Illinois,
requesting fingerprint cards to be used for a class of
instruction in that school, and in his letter dated
March 6th requested the designation of a speaker from
the Bureau to appear before the school on April 23,
1935. On March 20th a letter was addressed to Special
Agent in Charge Dadd designating him to cover this
assignment. Under date of April 24th Mr. Ladd addressed
a letter to the Director stating that a copy of this
communication,was being placed in the Chicago.Bureau
file in view of the fact that he, Ladd, was returning
to St. Paul and suggested that in the event the Bureau
desired Special Agent In.Charge Purvis to deliver this
talk that he.be notified direct, and'a copy forwarded
to Mr. Ladd at St. Paul. On April 27th a telegram was
prepared in the JBureau advising Mr. Ladd to return from
St. Paul on the designated date to speak before the
Juvenile Police Schools of America in view, of his previous
designation.
f
See Bureau file 62-34697 - serials 1, 2 and 6.
On April 26, 1935 former Special Agent in Charge Purvis
addressed"a letter to the Director attaching a copy of a
letter which he had received from Mr. Lyle L...George of
the Racine Police Department requesting him to address
the Wisconsin Policemen*s Protective Association at their
annual convention to be held at Kenosha, Wisconsin, on
May 20th and 21st and requesting advice as to what action
he should .take in this connection. Under date of May
2nd a reply was prepared advising Mr. Purvis that in view
of the-fact that steps were being taken.to establish a field
office In Wisconsin it was believed undesirable for the
Agent in Charge of another field-office district to speak
before the.police officials In the Wisconsin district.
On May 19th a telegram was received from Mr. C. M. Zeff
of the Kenosha Evening News reading as follows: "Melvin
Purvis was to have occupied.top spot in Convention program
of Wisconsin'Policemen's Protective Association, organization
of'800 policemen, in Kenosha Tuesday 11 A.M. Central t ime,* -— *“ e *
but is down with cold forced'to cancel. Had arranged Joint T0
meeting of City Service Clubs for luncheon same day with *3.50
business men for second appearance. Purvis suggests taking
plea directly to you.In hope;of filling engagement by
Memo, for Mr. Tolson
-4-
8-21-35
Department of Investigation. Realize this is.short
notice but place yourself in position of poor program
Chairman frantic to the point of hysteria. How about
coming,yourself? Please wire so we can sleep tonight."
On the ’same date a telegraphic ..response went forward
stating that Mr. Purvis advised the Director that he
declined.the invitation some time ago and regretted in
view of shortness of itiae that it would be impossible
to (designate a representative of the Bureau to attend.,
A memorandum dated May 21,, 1935 was prepared by Mr. Tolson
to the Director stating that'.he called Mr. Purvis on
Sunday (May 19th) concerning the telegraphic invitation
from the Peace Officers* group at Kenosha, Wisconsin,, for
,a speaker to substitute for Mr. Purvis; that Mr. Purvis
Indicated that he had never accepted the invitation and,
in fact,, had written two letters to officials In Kenosha
declining it. He stated that he was contacted by telephone
on Sunday afternoon and advised that Governor LaFollette
had been substituted for him at the meeting on May 21st;
that Governor LaFollette had found It impossible,to attend
and they wondered whether Mr. Purvis could make the
address. He stated'that he had indicated again by telephone
that he could not accept. Among other things he indicated
he was i ll with a cold and would not be able to attend under any
circumstances. Mr. Purvis stated that he was consistently
declining invitations, and would advise the Bureau;of the
receipt of any invitations.
See Bureau file 62-35556 - Serials 1, 2 and 3.
Mr. Purvis on July 8, 1935*addressed a communication to the
Director stating that on July' 5th Mr. S. R. Hassen of the
Federal Housing Administration In'Chicago called at the
Chicago Office on behalf of Mr. Max Siegel, Director of the
ABC and Deborah boys’ clubs of Chicago. Mr. Purvis stated
that he informed Mr. Hassen that he would not be able to
comply with his request to speak before these groups; that
the matter would have to be submitted to the Director in
view of the fact that the Bureau might desire to designate
someone else to make the talks requested. In a memorandum
^prepared by Mr. Quinn dated July 13, 1935, he states that
he telephonically communicated with SAC Lad d^of th^Chic^ go
MN u m*
Memo. for Mr. Tolson
-5-
8-21-35
1 Office and requested him to appear and represent the
Bureau in view of the fact that Hr. Purvis' resignation
was effective as of the night of the eleventh.
See Bureau file 62-36582 - serial 1.
On May 6, 1935, Mr. Purvis addressed a letter to the Director
attaching a copy of a special delivery letter received by him
from Mr. G. A. Harder, President of the Massachusetts Camp,
Society of the Fifth Division, United States Army - Veterans
of the World War, Boston, Massachusetts, .inviting,him to speak
at the Annual Spring Reunion and Dinner to be held at the
Hotel Bradford dn, Bos ton on May 25th. He, also, attached a
copy of his reply informing Mr. Harder of his, Mr. Purvis',
inability to accept the invitation.
A letter addressed to the Director dated May 7, 1935 was
received from Mr. George A. Harder extending,an invitation to
the.Director to attend.as a guest of honor the above,meeting
and:was advised that on account of the unusually heavy volume
of investigative matters which required the Director'.s personal
supervision it would be impossible for him to attend.
See Bureau file 62-35692 -^serials 1 and 2.
Under date of January 31, 1935 a letter was.addressed to the
Director by Special Agent in Charge MacFarland, then assigned
to the Buffalo Office, enclosing-a communication received from
Lieutenant Alfred J. Sendker, Troop n A" of,the Buffalo Mounted
Police, requesting the presence of the Director or Mr. Purvis
to address a gathering of that organization at Buffalo on
February 26. Under date of February 4th a letter was addressed
to- SAC MacFarland advising him that it would be impossible for
Mr. Purvis or the Director to attend, but that the Director
would be pleased to designate Assistant Director H.. H. Clegg
if Lieutenant Sendker should so desire. Under date of February
12th SAC MacFarland of the Buffalo Office advised .that the
information had been transmitted, to Mr. .Sendker,. who stated
that he would be very pleased to have Assistant Director Clegg
address the,meeting to be held on February 26th. ^
See (Bureau file 62-34480 - serials 1 .and 2. JAN IS
Memo, for Mr. Tolson
-6-
8-21-35
Under date of October 27, 1934, a letter was received
from former SAC Purvis stating that on October 26th Mr.
Pay C. Hill of Plymouth, Wisconsin, communicated
telephonioally with the Chicago Office and requested him
to deliver a speech before the Law and Order League of
Wisconsin. He stated that he advised Mr.. Hill that due
to the pressure of business it would not be possible for
him to be there and suggested to him that he communicate
with the Bureau.
On October 27th a telegram was received from Mr. Joseph
H. Peters, Executive Secretary of the Sheboygan County
Law and Order League, as follows: "Have been .in touch
with Melvin Purvis for purpose of having him address our
group stop. Purvis will.come but says we must have your
permission stop Community threatened with breakdown of
law enforcement agencies stop Purvis appearance here
would be‘powerful deterrent stop Desire a nonpolitical
speech.on law and order stop Most earnestly urge your
consent for earliest possible-date as condition serious".
A letter under date of October 30th signed by the Director
was addressed to Mr. Peters informing-him 1 that the Director
had been.advised by Mr. Purvis that he‘had definitely advised
Mr. Hill that due to the pressure of official 1 duties requiring
his services. at Chicago it would not be possible for him to
accept this invitation. A-copy of this letter was forwarded
to Mr. Purvis under the same date.
Under date of October 27, 1934, during a telephonic conversation
held between the Director and Mr. Purvis the substance of the
telegram from Mr. Peters was mentioned and he was informed as
to the substance of the reply which.is set forth in the
Directors letter to Mr. Purvis dated October 30th.
See Bureau file 62-33284 - serials 2, 3 and 4.
• JAM IQ ^
On August 6, 1934, former Special Agent in Charge Purvis
telephonically communicated'with the Director and stated
that he had been requested to speak at a luncheon on that
date before the Junior Chamber of Commerce. It was called
to his attention by the.Director the fact that the Attorney
General had ordered that such speeches be submitted for
approval before being delivered, and told him .that he should
have carried out such instructions. Mr. Purvis stated that
Memo, for Mr^ Tolson
-7-
8-21-35
he had not had tine to attend to this and that he was
becoming tired of making such speeches. The Director
informed him that he felt it to be to the Bureau*s
advantage to have such speeches made but that we should
follow out instructions as to obtaining approval. He
was authorized to make the speech on that date and
instructed thereafter to submit at least a summary of
ihis speeches.
On March 15, 1935 Special Agent in Charge Purvis sent a
letter to the Director stating that Mr. Leonard Keeler
of the Northwestern University Crime Detection Laboratories
telephoned him on behalf of the junior Association of
Commerce and requested that either the Director or Mr.
Purvis address a joint meeting of the Junior Chambers of
Commerce for the States of Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana,
in Chicago on March 30,. 1935. Mr. Purvis stated that he
informed Mr. Keeler he was sure the Director would be
pleased to address this convention in the event it was
possible for him to leave Washington} that in any event
the writer was sure the Director would be glad to designate
one of the officials of the Bureau to attend this conference
and make the address.
Mir. Keeler 'telephonically communicated with the Bureau on
March 15, 1935, conferring with Mr.,.Tolson, and requested
that the Director appear and speak before the assembly. He
was informed the [Director would not be able to leave the
city, whereupon Mr.sKeeler asked whether it would be possible
to have Mr.<Purvis make the address and was advised that
unfortunately Mr. Purvis would not be available either. Mr.
Tolson suggested to Mr. Keeler that he.felt certain the
Directoriwould be pleased todesignate Assistant*Director
Clegg to make the talk if the officials of the organizations
desired his attendance. ’Mr. Keeler stated he would find out
about this and telegraph the Bureau. He, also, stated that
there would be several hundred young men from Illinois, Iowa
and[Indiana present and.he thought it would be a good opportunity
for a speaker to discuss the functions of the Bureau. No further
•word was received from Mr. Keeler in this regard.
See Bureau file 62-32512 - serials 2, 3 and 4*
J AH
- mtou
X 9:234
r
Under date of November 5, 1934, a letter was received for
the Director from Mr. Samuel N. Stevens of the Northwestern
- 8 -
8-21-35
Memo, for Mr. Tolson
' University stating that he regretted exceedingly that
it was not possible for the Director to take part in
the University College Series, and requested that in
view of the Director's inability to attend that he
delegate Mr. Purvis as the Director's official representa¬
tive.
Mr. Tolson telephonically communicated with Mr. Purvis
under date, of November 9, 1934 concerning the letter
from Mr.,Stevens relative to the meeting to be held on
December 6th and Mr. Purvis stated that he had heard
nothing about this affair and he did.not want to attend
the meeting unless the Director specifically advised him
to do so. He was advised by Mr. Tolson that Mr. Stevens
would be informed that due to previous commitments it
would not be possible for him to attend .the meeting. A
letter embodying this information was forwarded to Mr.
Stevens under date of November 9th.
See Bureau file 62-14849 - Section 2, Serial 146.
LIST OP SPEECHES DELIVERED BY MR.
PURVIS RELATIVE TO THE TORE AND FUNCTIONS
OF THE BUREAU.
On July 10, 1934 Mr. Purvis telephonically communicated
with the Director and stated that he had received a
telephone call from Sheriff Miller at St. Joseph, Michigan,
inviting to address a meeting of about 100 officers at
St. Joseph on Thursday night, consisting of the Southwest
Michigan Peace Officers and Sheriffs Association. Mr.
Purvis stated that if he accepted this invitation hewould
not have time to prepare a speech and send it’.to Washington
for approval and was advised by the Director that he could
send in that day over the teletype a brief summary.of what
he would cover‘in his address. Teletype .message was received
from Mr. Purvis on July 10th advising that he would follow
the statements previously made before the Michigan!Association
of County Prosecutors,which was approved by teletype tinder
date of July 11, 1934*
See Bureau file 62-32251 - Serials 1 and 2.
p -—mot
JAN 19 1984
Memo, for Mr. Tolson
-9-
8-21-35
Under date of May 12, 1934 Mr. Purvis addressed a letter
to the Director stating he had received a call that morning
from Dr. Stockey of the Uptown Lions Club requesting him
to deliver an address at their meeting on May 24th,and had
advised Dr. Stockey that he would be glad to appear,
further stating that unless otherwise instructed he would
deliver the address requested under the date mentioned.
See Bureau file 62-31705 - serial 1.
On May 25, 1934 Mr. Purvis transmitted three copies of the
speech delivered before the Uptown Chicago Lions Club.
4
See Bureau file 62-31751 - serial 1.
Under date of July 24, 1934> in a telephonic conversation
held between the Director and Mr. Purvis, Mr. Purvis advised
that he had been invited to speak before the Chamber of
Commerce the following Monday and before the Advertising
Post of the American Legion the following Monday and that
he would send in an outline of his addresses to the Bureau.
The file fails to reflect that copies of these addresses
were ever received.
See Bureau file 62-32442 - serial 1.
Under date of-August.28,, 1934 a letter was received by the
Director from Mr. Purvis attaching a copy of a letter received
by him. from Mr. John P. Sanger of the U. S. Gypsum Company,
Chairman of the Program Committee of the Purchasing Agents
Association of Chicago, requesting him to deliver a talk
before the Association on September 13th. He advised Mr.
Sanger that he would accept the invitation and if it was at
all possible would appear. He stated further that he would
like to talk extemporaneously and would furnish at a later
date an outline of his contemplated talk. Under date of
August 31st he was authorized to accept the invitation and
was advised that the Bureau desired to receive a copy of his
contemplated extemporaneous remarks in order that Departmental
approval might be secured prior to their delivery. The file
fails to reflect a copy of this talk was ever forwarded J^fgROS
See Bureau file 62-32743 - serial 1
Memo. for Mr. Tolson
-10-
8-21-35
Under.date of August 21, 1934-Mr* Purvis addressed.a
letter to the Director stating that he had received a
request from Mr. William McDonnell, United States .Marshal
at Chicago, to speak before the Englewood Business Men's
Association luncheon .to be held on September 20th, stating
that he would speak extemporaneously of the Bureau!s work.
Under date of August 25th he was authorized to accept the
invitation but that the Bureau•should receive at.least an
outline of his remarks in order that Departmental approval
might be secured. The file fails to reflect that a copy
of this talk was ever forwarded.
See Bureau file 62-32638 - serial 1.
Under date of August 24, 1934 Mr. Purvis addressed a letter
to the Director attaching a copy of a letter dated August 20,
1934 received from.Mr. Ira A. Moore, President of the Rotary
Club, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Inviting him to address that
club on some Thursday during the month of October. He re¬
quested advice as to whether he should accept the invitation
and stated that in the event it was accepted he.planned on
giving to the members a general outline of the work of the
Bureau and requested permission to speak extemporaneously.
Under date of August 30, 1934 a letter was forwarded to
Mr. .Purvis authorizing him to accept the invitation, but
requested to forward to the Bureau an outline of his
contemplated extemporaneous remarks in order that Departmental
authority might be obtained prior to their delivery. The
records fail to reflect that a copy of his remarks were ever
received.
See Bureau file 62-32662 - serial 1.
Under date of June 19, 1934 Mr. Purvis addressed a letter
to the Director stating that a letter had been received from
Mrs. Norbert J. Klein, program Chairman of the White Fish Bay
Women's Club, Milwaukee, requesting him to give a talk before
that Association. Mr. Purvis requested advice as to whether
he should accept the -Invitation. Under date of June 22, 1934
in a Bureau communication he was authorized to accept the
invitation but that triplicate copies of his address should'
be forwarded to the Bureau in order that Departmental authority
might be obtained prior to its delivery. The Bureau file fails
to indicate that copies of the remarks were e ver rec etvgfo^S
See Bureau file 62-32066 - serial 1. i ^ "l*'* 1904
» %
Memo. for. Mr. Tolson
- 11 -
8-21-35
Under date of January 2, 1934 in a communication! directed
to the Director Mr. Purvis.advised of the receipt of a
letter from Mr. Mathew J. Murphy, Chairman, Distinguished
Guests Committee, American Legion Chicago Police Post
inviting him to be a guest at the Speakers 1 table at a
dinner in honor of the National Commander, Edward A. Hayes
on January 22, at the HotelSherman. He stated that he
would arrange to attend this, banquet. It could not be
decided from the file whether Mr. Purvis made an address
on this occasion;
See^Bureau file 62-30424 - serial 1.
'Under*date of October 8, 1934*a letter was received from
Mr. Purvis concerning an invitation received by him to
address a convention, of the Illinois Telephone Association
at Peoria, Illinois, on October 18, ; 1934• He requested”
permission to*speak extemporaneously, furnishing an outline
of the talk he:intended to give. In a Bureau communication
dated,October 11th'he>was authorized to deliver this, address
•and the outline*.submitted was approved by the Department.
See Bureau file 62-33129 - serial*1.
(Under date of October 3.7, 1934 'in a teletype message received
from Acting Special Agent In Charge Zimmer he requested advice
as to.whether, in view of the absence of Mr. Purvis from that
district, he should deliver this address and was authorized to
do so in teletype message dated October 17). See Bureau file
663129 - serial 2.
In a letter received from Mr. Purvis dated September .17, 1934
he stated that he/had received a request from Hr. Rottmayer
.of the American(Society*of Heating.and Ventilating Engineers
to address a convention of that Society on October 8, 1934,
and had declined the invitation.
A copy, of a memorandum prepared by-Mr. Purvis for the file,
dated November 6, 1934 reflects that Mr. Fred A. Preston,
Vice President, Poor and Company,, called at the Chicago
XEROX
JAN If 1984
'Memo.-for*Ur. Tolson
-12-
8-21-35
Office, stating that he was Chairman of the.
Community. Fund and desired’Mr. Purvis to speak
at one of their luncheons. The memorandum
indicated that when Mr. Preston called again
Mr. Purvis would Inform him he would be unable
to speak in accordance with his desire.
Respectfully,
August 8, 1935
National Broadcasting Company Network - 7t00'PCM . 1
Rudy Valle's Variety Hour
Valle: Melvin Purvis is young - younger than I an - light in stature,
soft-spoken, quiet, but after a few ninutes in his company you
realize he would be a good nan to have on your side in case of
troible. I consider it an honor to know and to introduce to
you gangland’s greatest emery.
(Sound of machine guns)
Valle: This was a 21 Thompson gun,salute from the studio's sound equipment.
Purvis: I am a very nervous man.
Valle: Tihere were you born, Mr. Purvis?
Ptirvis: In South Carolina - Tlmaonsvllle, South C
Valles, Your age? fyfJQ Z 9 1935
Purvis: Thirty-one.
Valle: Married or single?
. Purvis: Single.
In answer to further Interrogation, Mr. Purvis stated that he had
wanted to be a business manj that he attended the University of
South Carolina; that he belonged* to Kappa. Alpha Fraternity; .that
he practiced law about a year and a half in Florence, South
Carolina, but that they didn't seem to need a lawyer there very
much, and'he was tired of living.on his father's.money, so he
went to Washington and secured a position In the Department of
Justice.
Mr. Valle Inquired as to his first assignment. Purvis stated
that he was sent to Dallas, Texas;* that for his first assign¬
ment he was given information relative to one Mike, who was
wanted for car theft; that he went through the file thoroughly'
for Information; that in his investigation he found five < or six
phone* numbers written up on^the side of a phone booth, and upon
calling the : third.number he found it to be Mike's number. His
•wife answered and stated Mike was out. Mr. Purvis stated he
knew that Mike had been a cement mixer at one tia o.. and - gpjpmada
an appointment, to see him. When Mike kept the appointment,he*
drove up In the stolen car, and the car was takenAN jy m
arolinA., , i ' L‘! i,; , i , j.u.HiU.,
AUb 2SJU35 a.m.
U S,JuPMJTMt'.rUrJUaTlCE
Valle: How long was-it’between the tine you caught Mike and the finish
of'Dillinger?
^Purvis: I object. You weren’t going to mention Dillinger.
Valle: So i was - objection sustained.
Valle: Do you believe organized Crime-can rbe completely eradicated?
Purvis: Ladies and gentlemen, my answer to that question isjyes. It's
your problem. The gangster steals property - it might be--your
property . He kidnaps a child' - .it might be your child. He 1
kills a man - it might be your*husband..... Since the time I
first entered the Department of Justice I have had one ambition —
to make every human realize his own•responsibility -in the aboli¬
tion of crime. Tlhat canyou do? You. can have the courage to
rehise to be -victimized. You can teach.your child- the truth
about gangs and gangsters.The hardened gangster of today was
in many instances the brightest youngster in the neighborhood.
Tell your children that the criminal is not a Robin Hood; that
he isa rat and.deserves the fate of vermin extermination.
RVTsPS
JTebmtl ^wreau of ^Ittftcstigatioit
^>. ^parfmcnt of tymikc
Rocn llP3
370 Lexington Avenue
New York, N. Y.
^PERSONAL AND
3Bn?*©smsr
August 22, 1935*
r«
Mr* J* Edgar Hoover,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U* S. Department of Justice,.
Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th‘St*, N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
Mr, Nsttiao
Mr. ToUon ,»
Mr. Bau<Hr3*n......
CM*f C!«rk t*'- -«**V*
Mr, Cleg*
Mr. Coffey
Mr, E4»sr4* s*r-
Mr.
tix. Foiworth» .....
Mr. IJwbo .
Mr.aloeeph .
Mr, Keith
Mr, Leeter ......
Mr. Qufcia,.
Mr, ScheMt ?*»»» *«=**
1 Mr. SebiMer
Mr. _T*t&s»...........
Mr. Vrecy............
Mist Gmidy..........
Dear Mr* Hoover s
Reference is made to our telephone conversation of
oven date.
Martin Mooney informed me today, that the source of
his information, concerning the articles which farmer Agent in
Charge Purvis is reported to be-writing for publication in the-RED
BOOK, is his (Mooney’s) literary agent, Mr* George Bye» of New York
City; that Bye is one of the best known and best qualified agents
in the country; that after he got started on his ! literary activities,
Purvis wanted to have 1 Bye represent him, but he had already signed up
with Daniel Frye Agency in Chicago* Mooney advised that, yesterday
Bye sold a series of four articles to Colliers for Huey Long; that
the title, of the series is "My First Days in the White House"; that
Bye is very close to the publidiers of the RED BOOK magazine and
keeps him, Mooney, fully advised concerning their negotiations with
Purvis*.
Mooney states that after the RED BOOK recently re¬
jected the first three articles submitted by Purvis and informed
him that the earliest date on which the first of the revised ar^£n23£C Xuntn tf 1
could possibly appear was January of next year, they learned of the. ,
book "CRIME, INCORPORATED" which Mooney is writing; that this cloangecJ 9 1384
their previous plans; that they called Purvis into New York; that
they had him get rid of his Chicago ghost writer; that they assigned
one of their own staff writers to work with him; that this writer is
rushing the preparation of the first articles in order that they
might appear in the earliest possible issue of the RED BOOK
will probably be, November*
t
Mooney states that the present
to publish eight articles and that Purvis will
$200 per article*
AUG &f) 1QQ C_<C
Mr* ■ J.JSdgar Hoover,
Washington, D* C.
August 22, 1935*
„ I again inquired of Mooney concerning the nature of the ar¬
ticles, and he stated that they were an attack on the Bureau* He
said that he was positive of this from the information which he had
received from Bye* I informed Mooney that I had heard through seme
source that Purvis had denied that his articles attacked the Bureau.
Mooney then stated that he has definite information .that the general
tenor of the three articles previously submitted is to discount the
Bureau's activities and give the credit -for the Bureau's accomplish¬
ments to local law enforcement officials; that artioles of this type,
coming from .Purvis, in his (Mooney's) opinion amount to a direct at¬
tack, or criticism of the Bureau. Mooney states that it is his under¬
standing that it is this,feature of the articles which has interested
the RED BOOK magazine and that they are insisting upon it as a pre¬
requisite to their purchase of the articles.
During my conversation-with. Mooney he advised that he has
eight chapters of his book ’’CRIME, .INCORPORATED" completed; that
the finished book will have about twenty chapters; that the eight
chapters have already been submitted to the publishers; that they
have indicated that they are extremely well pleased and that they
believe the book will arouse widespread public interest and will
have a large sales distribution. Mooney states that he has also
finished two chapters of his book "PAROLE BOARD".
i
Mooney stated that he has recently talked to the head
physician at Sing Sing Prison,several times; that the doctor ha
gradually "opened up" and is now telling him "plenty” about Warden
.Lawes and his operation, of the prison. Martin states that the
doctor 'has lambasted Lawes and his policy in an extremely vigorous
manner and ihas*offered to take Mooney into the prison for the purpose
of putting him in contact with possible sources of interesting infor¬
mation. * ^
Mooney 'informe d me that your recent. addro s s at Atlanti o
City, which caused the outburst from Warden Lawes, created wide¬
spread and intense interest among the^prisoners at Sing Sing; that
vhen Wagner was arrested, immediately following Lawes' outburst, the
prisoners were elated,, and that a regular carnival spirit prevailed
.in the institution; that the prisoners were shouting back and forth
,and that for a brief period, at least, bedlam prevailed. The doctor
stated'that-typical of the attitude of the prisoners was the one*
who used his hands for a megaphone and shouted across the cells.
The warden led with his chin and Hoovor swung up from the floor, and
now the warden is on the rosin." Mooney states thatthe doctor in¬
formed him that as a result of the demonstration, several of the
leaders of the outburst were put into solitary confinement, and that
no newspapers containing information regarding Lawes and the Wagner
incident were permitted in the prison for several days.
‘jANlQISS*
( 2 )
— ' w- <J
Mr* J. Edgar Hoover,,
Washington, D, c.
August 22, 1935..
w . , , is buried up in the woods in a cabin upstate, near
his^entirft IT S? 1 * 6 h ° is i >re P arin S his own neals P and devoting
oonfident that he will have both books completed at a very early
i
. Following my telephone conversation with you today, a
party who identified himself as Mr. McNeil, phoned and advised
h ? tbe *?**&?* <* the Byrd-Expedition, that the caapany- which
makes Kellogg's Corn Flakes and other cereals plans to dedicate a
on neT? r ?f aSS ^ t ° th ® that the program will probably be put
on next Saturday, and that the sponsors of the program are anxious .
M^?i CUre th 5 r r ? C0S 0f Purvis connection liS a b^adSS!
SI! 1 ),! 0850 !? 0 'i°* * terrible hurry and inquired whether X knew
where he could get in touch with :Purvis. I informed him that it
Kfotel 7 un J erstar ‘f in S that^Purvis was stopping,at the Wddorf-Astoria
S*® 1 * A He inquired ■whether I thought Purvis would be interested
in a proposition in connection with the proposed program, and I
info„,4 h!« that I of ccurse had no IdeTwLtheAe w^d“e L-
ta^diatoly. IfcKeil - ih^oated that he would try to contact Pur el a
Very truly yours.
R. WHITLEY
Special Agent -in Charge
( 3 )
Jpfttsttm rtf
ii. gtyarfment v£ Susiia
Post Office Box #812
Chic ago,Illinois
?,r,r. Kal'tsn
Toljoo^ v /J* f »»#**
Mr. Bv^rain
Oh?ef Ct?rk »f«
Mr,
T*4 I ? cy - -;Il,4»*u
.Mr, EJwardi
Mf F,H3 ._-
j.r, Po^^n'j.
Air J^rh*
Personal and
August 26th, 1935/
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Departraent of Justice
Pennsylvania Ave. at 9th St., N. W.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please be advised that on August 26th, 1935, the writer re¬
ceived a telephone call' from Mr. Hallberg of the Chicago
Herald and Examiner,, who was formerly with the United Press
at St. Paul, Minnesota.
He advised that he had received word that Mr. M. H. rurvis
had been offered a position of Chief of Police at St.Paul,
Minnesota, by Commissioner of Police Warren-and that Mr.
barren at St. Paul had indicated that Mr. Purvis was con¬
sidering this position.
Very truly yours.
DML-.IJM
•D. M. LADD
Special Agent in Charge
!'li* 4- 14 ■ ,
■ii ■ Li ’ *r
.U\
'51?. S»-
r,,
i t -fi r ..„i «cu*<
.***-*•*•»*■
'J * \» " J
i,i' '• ‘4 11
gfZ, _X^POX
f JAN 19 m
■lUL-ral bur^m^f r.ysgjuu/-'; %
U S.DEPAR1
jfjjdfncc
JHHjPS
JTeforal ^Bureau of
P. J$. Pfjjsrfmcnt of justice
Room II 4 .O 5
370 Lexington Avenue
New York, N. Y.
September 9# 1935
v*
/
PERSONAL AHD_
jggEBDgggL
Mr* J* Edgar Hoover,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U* S* Department of Justice,
Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th St*, N* W*,
Washington, D* C*
Mr. Nst'tan.
Mr, ToUon J
•Mr* B;.u •: .
Chirf Clark ..
Mr, Clory ..
Mr, Coffey ... ....
Mr, E(tw*r<Si ......
Mr, Exta.
Mr. Fomrorti ...
,Ur. Harbo
Mr. Keith
•Mr, Letter
Mr. Qtfjba....,......
Mr, Scheldt
Fir. Sclulder
Mr. T«sr* __
Mr. Tr*ey
'MiM Gaudy..........
Dear Mr* Hoover:
For your information, Mr* Melvin lit? Purvis called at the
New York Office today and, in the absence of Mr* Whitley, he called on me*
Purvis said that he was stopping in just to say "hello" and that he was
returning to Chicago this afternoon* He mentioned that he has written a
series of articles for the Red Book Magazine, the nature - of which will be
the inside workings used in apprehending seme of the. notorious criminals*
He also volunteered .that he understood there had been same
concern as to whether he would reveal *Svho shot who", as he explained' it*
He stated that his articles would not indicate who had ,killed any of the
people about wham he might write, nor would the artloles reveal .any work¬
ings of the Bureau that xoight aid criminals or people harboring them*
Purvis also mentioned that he is still undecided as to any
of his future plans* He indicated that he is considering several offers
to make business connections but that.he had'also been.offered the opportu¬
nity to make some ready, money and.he felt as though he should do that* Ac¬
cording to Purvis, the’book publishers.are-anxious that he write-a book on
his experiences* He also said that the moving picture industry has offered
him an opportunity to go into the pictures but that his sense of dignity
does not allow him to accept either the offer of the book pub lishers
moving picture,industry* " ^
JAN 19 1984
I might also mention that Purvis seemed to be very friendly
and indicated no antagonism towards the Bureau, any of its staff or its em¬
ployees* H© remarked .that he was really enjoying life now, being very free,
but that he was still interested in the work of the Bureau, which work he
enjoyed very much,, and that it was only after very much thought that he
EATtAEK
August 29, 1935
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
... 0 . 1 former Agent H. C. Connaughton at
-the RaleighvHotel today and he informed ae that he was
aerely in town on business. He stated he was glad to
1 , see that* the Bureau "got -rid of that '.pain in the neck'
jjrvls 1L stating tna'i situation In Chicago had become
unbearable because of the antagonism which the newspaper
aen felt towards Purvis. H e advised that he spent half
of his time defending the Bureau against criticism voiced
at -it by newspaper aen who disliked Purvis personally.
1 Informed 'Mr. Connaughton, In a jocular aood,
that I had difficulty In picturing him in the armor of a
knight defending the Bureau, since I was rather of the
impression that he, personally, didn't ever lose an oppor¬
tunity to "harpoon us". Connaughton stated he was always
friendly for and with the Bureau.
. „ „ ,Mr * Connaughton advised that he was proceed¬
ing to New York this afternoon.
Respectfully,
:E. A. TAMM.
/(• 0 % 0 - in
JL. /5. Jhpxrinmitt of
Post Office Box #812
Chicago,Illinois
September 6th,
Personal and
N Mr. N»titTi.ldCy,
vMr. To!.on„i^rrT
W. B»n*5,raAn
pkfaerk..^!^.
" ^*r.Coff«y
Mr.
Mr< FoiworC?^.
Sir, Hubo
H i
tt
I Trwy
XiMGwd?..-
Director I
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department- of Justice
Pennsylvania Ave. at 9th St.,,N. W.
Washington, D. C;
Dear Sir;
During a conversation’at this Office with Mr. A. L. Mahoney,
a reporter for the Chicago ,Daily News, on September 5th, 1935,
he informed the writer that he knew' of the resignation o£ Mr.
Purvis aboufc-yanemonth prior to the resignation;being submitted
and that HiVPurvis had promised to; give him the,first release
concerning this resignation, but that at >the last minute he*had
been *Hoiible-crossed n and that Mr. Purvis had’not notified’him.,
He ,-stated that he had S, counse2/^Lth ! Mr. Purvis concerning his
resignation and hadinformed him that in the event he timed it
properly he could get suitable publicity therefrom. :He stated
that in obtaining publicity of that nature it is advisa ble to
consider the day of the ;week and the.hour of the day in^hicJnT
the release is made public in order “that it will rece*ivaMfilb ^ Q 1S84
most widespread publicity.
He further stated that from.his contacts with,’Mr. Purvis it .was
apparent to him that Mr. Purvis had become money mad and
anxious to secure a lot of money and live a li fe of ease and
luxury. He stated that in. connection therewith he had introduced
Mr. Purvis on various occasions.to a .number of socially prominent
Individuals in Chicago and he had observed that Purvis appeared
to be very much impressed with the life as l ed by these >wea3 thy ; * 1
socially prominent individuals in Chicago. I r-i A XY~A I Lt ti
■* * (
DMLjIJM
f a .qqv
i H IJJi,
Very truly^ yjfcVk,..!
.S£P.I^T935 .m*
D. M. LADD
Special Agent in Clk$g£EPAR‘l
^ cs? ^ ^4
jJOHfJ, EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
•EATjTAM
Jjiefceral ^ureau of «3ltt6a3i
P- J?. ^0«partatttt of ^ositct
JSJasfymghm, P- C-
Septeaber 12, 1935
4:20 P.M.
A I JMlitSuw
Ttr.
Chl.f Citrk *U*ft -fsM*-
Mr,CS«S**—
.Mr; Coff«y e*# '«»«•*
'Mr. Edwwd. a*** ■»if*
Mf» Ej^®**'**^ 1
Mr.- Foxworth
Mr, n*r>» ,«.=
Tdr. Jos“i>Ji „>
Mr. K«iti»
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
Frank Waldrop just called and stated that t
New York Journal was trying to find.Melvin jPurvis, it
being rumored-that■Melvin was in'Washington'at the present
tine. I told-Mr..Waldrop that I had 1 no knowledge of Mrt
Purvis' whereabouts and hadn’t heard anything of him since
the night he broadcast with Rudy Valfee ijn^Chicago
Res.
Vj, V}-UT
'Mr. Q - i -tii'
Mr, SdkHdt »«»
Mr. ScbUi«x it** * •*»
.Mr. T»jcgs»
Mr. Tr»cy
E. A. Tamm
l9 #'
c«:
O L
FEDLffAL BURFAU OF INyr STIGAliO.I
1 SEPi 3 l 8 J 835 .it.
u.s, DU’ARr.ir? j ci ,:rr^
t
m *
P&isixm
^Bepwrtmmt o{
Post Office Box #812
Chicago ,Illinois
Personal and
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United* States Department of Justice
Pennsylvania Ave. at 9th St., N. W.
Washington, D. C.
August 29th,
lx. To
Jr. Buxbnu
W Clerk
Ir. Cle**.
r. Edwird*
lJr- Ehm....';...
i Ur. Foxworth
Mr. IUrbo
; Ur. JoerpV.... „....
? Mr. Keith . _^r..
L
i Sir. Leeter ..a^.
i Mr. Qntoa'..jK^L„
Mr. StkO^tp^
...........
Mr. Tr»<-y............
MU* G«»Jy.,....
Dear Sir:
Please be advised that Mr. Hansen, a reporter for the Chicago Herald
and Examiner, informed the writer that he had just learned that Mr.
M. HCPurvis was contemplating going, to Hollywood, Calif ora ia, as a
technical'adviser for one of the notion 'picture companies in prepara¬
tion of one of the releases of G-Men pictures.
I desire to further advise that Special Agent Mullen of -this Office
advised the writer confidentially that he had received information
from a friend, of his to the effect that Mr. 1 Charles Daniel Frey, an
advertising manager with offices at 335 North Michigan Avenue, was
sponsoring Hr. Purvis, and that he was sponsoring a nation-wide radio
program on which Mr. Purvis was to be featured, which program was to
begin at an early date.
i
For your information, 1 desire to advise that the book "Who's Who in
Chicago? reflects the following information concerning Charles
Daniel Frey:«
l
"FREI, Charles Daniel, advertising; b.Denver, Colo.,
Oct. 9, 1886; s. Daniel and'.Augusta Eleanora (Stone)
Frey; ed. pub. schs., Denver; n. Mary Boss Burch, of
Chicago, Oct. 17, 1908;; children—Charles Daniel, <
Mary-Elizabeth, Barbera Ross.- Began as lithographic
artist with Denver Lithographing Co., 1900; in edit‘d
orial and'art depts., Chicago Examiner, 1904-05, vAH iqa*
Chicago Evening Post, 1905-09; organizer, 1910, since nof
pres. Charles Daniel Frey Co., advertising agts.,
Chicago. Served as capt. Mil. Intelligence Div., World
War; nat. dir. -An. Protective league and o rganizer _
21193 $,
tj
Chicago div. of sane. Trustee Chicago Latin'Sch.,
Girls Latin Sch. of Chicago. Decorated Medaille
de-la Reconnaissance Francaise (French). Repub¬
lican. Presbyn. Mason. Clubs: Chicago, Chicago
Athletic Association, Racquet, Arts, Tavern,
Casino, l?hite Paper, Forty, Glenview Country
(Chicago); Detroit Athletic Recess (Detroit).Home:
1435 N. State Parkway. Office: 333 N. Michigan Av. n
Very truly yours.
DML:IJM
Special Agent in Charge
XEROX
TftN 19
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-VIS
III
ITRGjVSHA,
i
i
Hr* R.M, Barger,
193 Central Avenue,
Nmrlc, Ohio,
Dear Sirt
September 20, 1935,
In reply to your communication dated September 14,
1935, relative to the preeent address of Mr* Melvin H* Purvis,
you are advised that a survey of the records of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, D. s. Department of Justice, indicates
the last known forwarding address of Mr* Purvis as being 11 Seat
Scott Street, Second floor £ast, Chicago, Illinois*
Tery truly yours,
vJ-.M / ■'***11 1 tf
John Sdgar Boover,
Director*
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ShP ,33 it; 35
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KEW YORK VARIETY
mut YORK CITY
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 1936
Melvin H* Purvis, ex-head of
the G-men in the Chicago dis¬
trict, guested on the Pleieeh-
mann program last Thursday
night (8) and set something o t
a precedent for radio,
He let loose the first belch
to go over a national hookup.
vv N'»than.
I M6. —
7^TTr»- rtai»ghw*4
j * i'M-’a -S
Tv My .
‘ > j rSi'.vtuda
-rib
\ . t. I’yjbo .
•i ' * '
/racy -
”1. i Ui.ndy
(Page 31)
— .moor M
Jaw T9 t984 li
a r ?r*Mf<r«r
BATiCOT
September 21, 1935*
Tie* - 10a 00 A*M.
Ret Ann* Saga*
Mr. Butler In the Criminal Division of tha Deportment telephoned
no relative to tho deportation proceedings ponding against th« above named
woman, involved in tbo DILLIHGER CASE* Mr. Butler said he has just had a
long talk with Assistant CoamJ salonar of laaigration Brown about this woaan
at which tins the possible interest of this Bureau in Anna Sage had ooae up.
Mr. Butler reminded that some tine ago, they started to deport this woaan,
at which time the Bureau was asked if this Bureau had any further interest
in her) that a memorandum waa received stating that this Bureau had absolutely
no further Interest in this woaan at all.
In this connection, Mr. Butler said that tha Immigration authorities
are instructed by the Department of Labor to deport this woman on or before
September 2t, 1935. However, sowe tine ago, Anna Sage called in person at
tho Department of Labor and said "that she dldn* t want to be put on one of the
deportation ships with the other persons to be deported, and asked permission
to pay her omnt apmty Tjqsjt of the country. On August 9, 1935, the Department of
Labor promi sed to let her do this.
* - i
> v 1 *, '
However^ a ^few days ago, an attorney named Thomas J • Johnson of
Chicago, oiuwr int* the local office in Chioago of tho Immigration authorities
stating that If ; thay insisted upon deporting this woaan, ha waa going to
cause a lot of ^adfaywrablo publicity for the Department of Labor and the
Department ofJustio*. this attorney ways that M^T)FDHV18 promised this
woaan that If eh* Would disclose what ah* knew abofit DiUinger, he would
see that she was ndt deported. Mr* Butler said that another attorney by
theaaae of Kelsbrook la also making slailar tbraata of unfavorable publicity.
MT. Brown, the Aieiatent Coaaisaioner of Immigration, however, aays if tha
Federal Bureau of Investigation has no further interest in thia woman, ha
will wire the Chicago Office of the Department of Labor to tho effaet that
if this woaan does not gat out of tho country in accordance idth her yr mis*,
ah* is to be arrested and deported. n f) „ t r /•; ji / /I
I reiterated to Mr. Butler previous Burara s&tesfent* the effect
that we have alwolutely no further interest In this woaum at all*
OCT 1-J93S
Respectfully,
A. TAMM.
'£'141
1
) 1
i
t
, !
I J
**-, —• !
! %
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER 1
DIRECTOR
_
EAT:COT
^111 ' ' |
^tbzvul ^Bureau uf
JJ- JBtpxxtxiunt of Static*
ptafjirtghm, JL <C.
September 27, 1935*
/
Time -12:20 PiSi.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
O
Re: Melvin Purvis.
Mr, NaOw* HU.IM
Mr. T&lson. «,
Mr. ...... ■
Chief Cl«rk tjfmmiBVf***
Mr. CW<
Mr. Coffer tM ^»«.*»**
I Mr. SMwwd* ♦***»*••
Mr. Et*»
Mr. forwoiih.......
Mr. U»rtx>.
Mr. JoMi>b •***■“■* «**>*
Mr. K«»th
Mr. te*trr.
34r. 3 1 -as>-...«*>*•.•<
J.U. Suiieidt..
Mr. i>cii3sirr,..»...
■Mr. TwasJ
Mr. Tr»cy
MI*» G*a4y rt»hrt»»
. *■«*•***■»*«<**
During a telephonic conversation which I had with Special Agent
in Charge J. E. P. Dunn at the Los.Angeles Office, I told him that in
talking with .you, you>had stated you were * somewhat concerned over the
inability of the Los. Angeles Office -to get any information concerning
the activities of Melvin Purvis. I told him that you are in possession
of rather definite information to the effect that Purvis is at this
time under contract with a motion picture company out there and the
compensation involved is $25,000. Mr. Dunn said that he has .not heard
of this, but assured me that he would try his best to find out something
about it today*
Mr* Dunn then asked if any rumor has .reached Washington to -the
effect that Purvis has been doing some reorganization work with the
San Francisco Police Department, to which i replied in the negative*
Mr. Dunn said that during a conversation which he had with a newspaper
man the other day, this came up. Mr. Dunn said that while he did not
want to appear too eager for information, he did ask the reporter the
source of his information. It was learned that there is.no definite
information about this, the same being more or less of a rumor which
is going,around, and whidn.has been picked up by the press.
I told.MnKjgmn that the Director had expressed the opinion that
it was rather peculiar that he could go to New York and.get information
relative to the motion picture industry and Melvin Purvis* possible
connections with that industry when the Los Angeles Office could not get
the same information right in the immediate vicinity*. Mr. Dunn said that
one reason for this is the fact that practically every, one of th e motion
picture companies maintain their home offices in New YjSrk-Oi-ty^ifS'gjCi mere
most of the important information and news emanates. ( saidqthat.most
of the financing of motion picture matters is carried on in New'Ydrk,
and very frequently, important developments sin the industry bre ak, in JSew
York rather than in Hollywood.
Respectfully
i?33
E.
tyJ-1—
TO
^ If- V' ‘-'I lUAllUV
SEP 30 1935 .M.
■. .. cFjrriCE ,
Office of Director
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
6; S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CT.jMAM
September 23; 1935 *
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
, O'
The address of Mr.’ Melvin Purvis,
former Special Agent, is 11 East Scott
Street; Chicago, Illinois.
Respectfully,
Clyde Tolson.
•cr^Ss f/r
pr-_-j ■■ XEROX
JAN IV 1»34
*/
I Tl
JJebeml ^Bureau. of <3Jnfrcsligation
Jt. Jhynrfmttti of ^Justice
P. 0. Box 536
Los Angeles, California*
September 21st,
1935*
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U. S. Department of Justice,
Pennsylvania Ave. at 9th St., N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
There is inclosed' herewith for your attention a photo¬
graph of Melvin H. Purvis and a press item appearing in the Bur-
Bank Review, Burbank, California, September 19, 1935.
JEFD: 153-
in cl
Very truly yours,
(97-W- f/p
. xmoit
JAN 1P13BL
I Melvin H. Parvis 1
Melvin H. Purvis, former .De¬
partment of Justice agent i*o<j;
$lay*r of' John DiHinger, -is pic-;
tur«<j, on 'jhj* recent arrival 'in;
San a Francisco. -lie ' sate! :• ha • .was 1
vUitin'g the Pacific .OSa# -oh' bust-:
h^ss,"! bvt, .declined , t6 -state-' why.
Pwi?vis «rn)*at(«iiiy dented dhat'he'
is‘now ! a’n, aCe~" “Mnderfover" tnan.
"BURBANK REVIEW"
Burbank, California, Sept.19,1935.
■<*
Jjehmil ^Suremt of
$ 1 . JJfprtrfmtni of Jiiattrc
P. 0. BOX 536
Los Angeles, California.
Sept. '21| 1935.
Mr. J. Edgar Hoover,,
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U. S. Department,of-Justice,
Pennsylvania Ave. at 9th’St.,. N. !W. ,,
Washington,.. D..-C.,
PERSONAL ,AND CO:
v • *
tin Tol*.j»,
Mr-Bn^nta
cu.r,cj»rk,...
Mr.
Mr. Coffey.
Mr.-Edward* .......
Mr.Ecw*;
. forwortii.......
• n*XfcO if..•.la.,)
Mr. Joaeph
Mi. Keith r«*aa*
Mrlie.'W.
[/Mr. <JuiaaI„,.v
Mr. Scheldt.
Mr/Sclulder
Iffi.fuut
Mr. Tracy,..,,
Ml** Gaudy,,,
**»» ■.»-**» wi
•»* • ma* * arm «,
Dear Mr. Hoover: 1
Some.days ago Inspector Egan telephoned me.from San,Francisco and
advised me* that Mr. Melvin Purvis was then in that city, and suggested it
appeared probable that he would later visit this community.
Since that time I have been constantly on the alert to be informed
when Mr. Purvis should arrive in Los Angeles, and-I have taken steps to con¬
fidentially gain knowledge as to his activities if and when he comes here*
To date Mr. Purvis has not.shown in L 03 Angeles and discreet, inquiry
develops that there is no ..general' knowledge of the fact that he is in Cali¬
fornia, or that he contemplates visiting Los Angeles, although such would ap¬
pear to-be a>natural development in view of the fact that he is represented
S^by the firm of. Selznick and Joyce,, motion picture agents.
I took occasion yesterday to visit with Mr. Jack Gain, a very close
personal friend of mine and who is studio manager of Fox-Twentieth Century
Studios, and in the. course of jay visit with him, prompted him to make inquir¬
ies through certain channels for the purpose of developing information con¬
cerning Purvis.
As result of the discreet inquiries made through motion picture
channels, Mr.>Gain was able to advise that it was rumored that "Mr. Purvis, is
presently in San-Francisco, but nothing definite was established .in-that con¬
nection. Mr; Gain further-developed that'the firm-of-Selznick and Joyce have
thus far made no-commitments for Mr. Purvis*' services, in .this connection
Mr. Gain put in a .telephone call to a member of the firm of. Selznick .and Joyce
concerning the availability, of Purvis,, and as above noted, was advised that
they had* been unable thus far to make any engagements for* him. Mr. Gain.was
advised in this connection- that the-Agency had-received-one~or .two-offers.
Mr. Hoover
9-21-35
Page 2.
but they were small and unattractive. The Agency tried rather energetical¬
ly to "sell'* Mr. Purvis to the Fox organization, but was advised by Mr*
Gain that they had no stories in prospect in connection with which they
could make any effective use of Mr. Purvis’ services.
I will continue to give very careful personal attention to this
matter and I can assure you that through my various contacts and personal
connections among studio executives and also through the local representa¬
tives of the Hays’ organization, I will be able to gain, confidentially,
first-hand knowledge concerning the activities of Mr. Purvis if and when he
arrives in this community.
Since my telephone conversation with Mr. Tolson some weeks ago
concerning the arrangement which you had effected with the New York repre¬
sentative of the Hays’ organization, subsequently confirmed,by your letter,
I have kept in very close contact with the larger units within the motion
picture industry and likewise with Mr. Joseph Breen, the principal repre¬
sentative of Mr. Will Hays in Hollywood, and have repeatedly advised them
of your desire and instruction that this office cooperate to the fullest
possible extent with any responsible unit in the motion picture industry
which might desire advice of a technical nature in connection with produc¬
tions which dealt in any way with the activities or methods of this organiza¬
tion, and in any other situation^wherein it appeared that this office could
be of assistance. It was carefully explained to them it wa3 your desire
that the industry, feel perfectly free to call upon me at any time and that
it was your desire that such activity on the part of this office be not publi-
cizedor referred to in the saies promotion of any picture wherein this office
had rendered assistance.
I have*since that time^been consulted on several occasions by the
Research Departments of various studios, particularly the Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer, Paramount and .Fox-Twentieth-Century Organizations. These inquiries
have been rather routine in nature and the information or advice which was
requested was promptly furnished. In addition, I was called a few days ago
to confer with Mr. Edgar Allen Wolf and Mrs. Florence Ryerson, writers for
the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Organization, and Mr. Chester Franklin, director of
the same studio. This conference was very general and was sought by the in¬
dicated parties for the purpose of a preliminary and very general discussion
concerning the investigative routine of the investigating agencies and no
specific problems or questions were presented. Messrs. Franklin and Wolf and
Mrs. Ryerson stated that when their story had been developed and was av^ftOlf
able in script form they would like to have me review seme, and tR'SJT would .
at that time, no doubt, have some specific problems in connect
Mr. Ebover
9-21-35
Page 3
this office could be of assistance. They were advised of my willingness to
be.of assistance to then whenever they might-make a request.
I have also been contacted by phone on several occasions by Mr*
Walter Wanger, an independent producer who releases through the Paramount
Organization, and also by the Fox-Twentieth Century Studio for routine com¬
ment or advice in connection with ’the-.pictures which those organizations are
currently shooting - the Wanger picture being, "Mary Burns - Fugitive",
written by Gene Towne and Graham Baker; and .the .Fox-Twentieth Century..pic¬
ture being entitled, "Snatched", written by ikubec Glassman*
t
I feel that the larger and more responsible units in the picture
industry are quite definitely on notice of your desire to cooperate with
them at all times. I will, continue to encourage them to make full-use of
the service which you have tendered to them*
JEFD:H5
ZEROS
JAN 19' '.284
/
y
Lett, to Walter Winchell froa Redbook Inviting
hia to a luncheon in honor of Mr. Purvis. .
I'Mr. jsS:*
Mx.r<
Mr.
Chief Clerk
Mr. CIe« *.!• •**'*_* *****
Mr. Coffey . fi«■»#» *'»*•* ’
Mr. Edw»r<J» »****»*»
Mr. E«i»o r*«i * ** *’•*■*'*» m m
Mr. Foxworth * ****** 1
Mr, Hilt bo
Mr. Joseph er<**Vi/h-h.«*
Mr. Keith ***•»%.* • »#**■ t
eak
XITRO’'
JAN 191984
-WM
Mr, Lester •*.**»***'**<**'
.* *
Mr. Qolon **t**M/f***»».,
Mr. SeheMt..........
Mr. SchiMer .........
11
Mr. Tuu) <Ut* *
Mr. Trscy
Miss Gsjsdy
jwehttieywiiune** <*»»n '
► «*«f*<rc»**nr- »•« «*««>*»• at
A
AGAZINK
EDITORIAI. rooms
THE MCCALL COMPANY - 23 0 PARK AVENUE - NEW YORK
September 27, 1935
Ur* Walter Winchell,
The Dally Mirror,
235 Saet 45th St.,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Ur* Winchells
Redbook is giving a luncheon for Melvin
Purvis, the ace of G-aen, next Thursday, October 3rd,
ai»12s30, at the fhldorf-Astoria Hotel. We would
like very much to have the pleasure of your company
at this'luncheon.
This sounds like a rather short notice;
but until the very last moment Mr. Purvis, who is at
present occupied on the Pacific Coast, was not able
to decide whether^.© could attend. He promises to
deliver at the luncheon a talk that will be “strictly
off-the-record", wh&h possibly would make it inter¬
esting for you. \
Yours sinperely,
Associate \di tor
1 '^ ~jr
OCT 3- 1935
fEOtRA* P*
.OCT 3
»’ <* t£-/Pt i
y*l
1 • M „
The Washington Herald
October 1 , 1935 *
WALTER WINCHELL
Town of Our*
-Recommended to -You, You
and You: Stanley Walkers The
Rbbber Barons” piece in -the
next Stage, and James Cannon s
c&say' orx Gordon and-Revel In
Collier’s . . . Louie Armstrong’s
crew, Eleanor Powell. Milton.
Berle. Joe Humphries, the ;be-
loved announcer, and -Nieta.
. Goodelle, a new and delightful
robin on the Win-Shell Oil show
next Saturday night.. .Wallace
'Beery will be that show’s m. c.
the following week . . . The^H.
Richman-Hasel Forbes matter
isn’t any gag . , . The Dude
Klees are threeing ... Romance
in theDep’t of Justice: Gen«>
vieve'McDonough .and Clement.
E. Mayhall of the G-Men staff
will wed this morning r. . . Mel:
yja_j&£L|? ..yHU^Ua.
’j ^^p artylloxS'fijth xoTO^ S-'
RSt^Book -at the WM dorf.
dolf Friml. Jr’s.
■The legend is that Edith
.Roark wiU fly to Chi to marry
the lad Dorothy .Appleby Just
settled matters out of court with,
for oodles . . ...The Jack La-
Rocuues, according to churns
won’t reconcile ... Things That
Make a Guy Oofly Sickr Using
'*7 f>
• i
JWtAS
Saptaaber 30» 1935
Tin*: 4*57 P.».
HKi 8paaeh to ba aaidi by
HolTla^Purrl*.
lot tha couraa of * telephone coBWereation
with Hr. Hbltl*, at Albany, Mtw lork, he eta ted
that the laoeheo* at which Ur* ?urvia was to
apeak would ha bald thie Ihureday, October 3,
1935* I ioforaed Hr. fcjitley that * friend of
sine would attend tha luncheon ana would be able
to inf ora a# of way dewelopnente* Hr* Shitlay
at*tad that Hr* Wiaohell it not attending*
Vary truly youra,
John Mgar Hoover,
Direotor*
ni
"r ,N. - 'i . .
.’’r, Hjiughman
^ C' \t
| !'r, Ctei;.{
] ' »*, foff.-y
jj Mr Ed„ard»
'*fi\ ... ,
Hi- ’U stvynh .
Mr, tUr' o
Mh _
Mj Kelli,
Mr Vr-lrr
Mr, Oi'.aa
-All 1 . b<ii^idi
Mr atli.idcf
3lr, Taouji
•file, Tc 4-7 -
MU* G,ui 4 ,V
®SyiSois*iEcfS i * / “
OGT -11C35
P, M,
FEDERAL ftUBEAtf Of (MytSl KJAf ()N, i
<J - 4 ! DEPARTMENTiljsTCf ' ' . , ,
i ■ l . '•/
m >-• -vi 5
, - 1 * , i 1
—~ Xfao*
JAfl ly 1984
* •*!
V
'VJOHN EDGAR HOOVER
* DIRECTOR
TDQ:A
f
\
bureau of ^nfrestigaiton
p. J5. ^ptpartowrtf trf $u»tict
pJsaijmgfon, P- <E.
October 3, 1935 3 PM \7
frt/
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. TOLSON '
vT ‘ v. t
Ar i 1
i , .
Ls,<>»»•’
Mr. Porter of New York telephoned and stated
that he attended the luncheon in New York today; that the
speaker only spoke in the highest terns of the Department;
that everything was quite happy and harmonious; that he did
nothing but boost the Department; that as a natter of fact
he said it was under-paid; that they should receive higher
salaries and have larger expense accounts. He pointed out
that the Department should receive the credit and no particular
person; that It was a happy speech and nothing was sqid that
would not help the Department.
I thanked Mr. Porter on behalf of the Director
and Mr. Tolson.
In closing, Mr. Porter stated that Mr. Cooper
left for the coast late yesterday afternoon.
Respectfully,
1. D, QUINN.
■r f<*-
•vt'i
FtUihAl OF IrtVCSriuATIUN
0QT> ( ««iS3 5 a■ m (
U.S. DtPrtR I .vifcNT OF JUSTICE
FILE
Office of Director
fEOERAL 8UREAl> Of INVESTIGATION
U« S. DEPARTMENT Of JUSTICE
Record of Telephone Calf.or Visit!
10:17
Mr. Btiflwu.
Chief Clerk.
Mr. Cl«tt.
Mr. Coffey-
Mr. Edward* ...
fMr. Egan.
Mr. Foneorth.
Mr. Ilarbo.
Mr. Joeeph —
Mr. Keith-
Mr. Utter.
Name ^Whitley tele, froa N.y.
Referred to Mr.Quinn
Mr. Quinn.--
I Mr. SchilJer..
Mr. Tracy
Uh» Gandy -
Details;,
Staged he would talk with Mr.Quinn and was I
accordingly referred there.
Mr.Quinn advises that Mr.Whitley stated that
the N.Y.papers are carrying accounts of Mr. Purvis*
talk last evening; that the only thing which is
critical of the Bureau is a stateaent Bade by
Mr.^Turvis that the agents should receive credit
in cases, rather than one individual a3^Sthe tine.
**- . %
The. N.Y.Papers have been Sent for. °
i7
ptDIRAl fe !, R?A s i OF iNVESriGATlON
OCT 7-i935a.m.
U. S. DEPARTMENT Of jsJ"T5C£
X
-V
'jJOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
TDQ:A
ft ' ft
t
Jfebeval ^Bureau of <3n6estimation
Ji. 'j&tpxxtnxmt vi 3fixstic*
pfasljmgtott, ^0. <SL
October 4, 1935
10:20 AM
/
MEMORANDUM -FOR MR. TOLSON i
l * 4
_ , l
I * f
i >1v.
i
Special Agent In Charge Whitley telephoned 1
and stated that all o£4the New York papers carried a write¬
up this corning on MiOTurvis 1 talk last evening at the
Tv T aldorf-Astoria. Mr. ’Whitley had before hia a copy of the
Herald Tribune which carried a full coluan. He stated that
Purvis nore or less reviewed the Little Boheaia Incident,
the killing of Dillinger, and Pretty Boy Floyd. The only
critical statement was an Implication'to the effect that he
would like to see every Agent and all Agents receive the
credit deserved and not just one.
P:S. All of the New York papers were obtained and
carefully reviewed but the only reference located was In th#*^^.
Herald-Tribune, which is attached hereto.
i
(
*N. t. HERALD TRIBUNE
10-4-35
Of Dillinger,
■ Bur vis Admits
l ' ,T ‘ > ' * . 1 '**•
^WAorkofJHiscThrills
** ‘ r - - -' -.- r* , " » "
Says ?He '.Was ?, jus t) at Cog
’’ *’ ! 1 4 T ";’ u /' '
Wishes Each Alain ? on a Case
, Would i(Gct ’Fiilli■Credit
r ' . - V 1 -./-IS-V . * V --S *.
amiable /former' Department*-: of;"0rA-
his/.men,/sent' John .'DlUinger ’/and
Cbttles (''Pretty; JFace'.’) ".Floyd/to
their ;death*-,by,. gunfire,; appeared 3 at
the VWaidorf-Aetoria t Hotel i yesterday
la; the role ’of, a magazinewriter' end
told • SCO i executive*-”'©f■; the v McCall
Company^ publisher ■ of X the s/Red-
*•«* 5Magazine.’*,<and. /theirilguest*.
|that,;hero or ;no'hero/ he’Used' to he
, wared* es*:heU‘" i >wheaJbe'‘•engaged
gangsters:to!battle. ’'/» > • /», .-*, ?
! 'Mr,,Purvi*/who. resigned ‘isihead
.Ofnhe-Chicago office of< the’Division
•or 'Investigation I In .'July,'' had’sht*
saudience listening intently, as he told
of the Uttle Bohemia episode wherein
DUlinger escaped from Federal'agents
in 'duly. il934;\tbe .subsequent' execu-.
tion * ’of: Dlllinger»la ■, the /alley of? a
Chicago, /film * thes ter/ ahd>' the ; end
Of ! •.■prettyoBoy;''*Floyd;m,an,Ohio
cornfield; --.with. Innumerable /ponce
bulietstinUts, body. % ' ~ f\-
: SOrry5in ooOep t 'Manjyrai(Slain ]
\He - was ' regretful •' beeause-an* inno-
! eenvr man i was; hilled t in i the i Uttle
Bohemia * raid.’ -A.; car«la/which 'the
man/- was riding went -through '.the'
agents', blocade at a high speed.when:
Commanded?to;halt. , 1 " ,
; . “I’m sorry.it was: an’Innocent man,"
Mr, ' Purvis . said ' Unemotionally, “but
he, used' DUlinger, tactics." "' < •,
“When'I lit the cigar outside of the
Blogr&pn .Theater.” Mr." Purvis said in
telling how DUlinger was Main in Chi¬
cago^ fgtving r thev signal; to; Close - in
on r. DUUnger.«who ’ had >Ju»t walked
past > me. • my - hand - bobbed / up ‘;*nd
ddwnl"tin'.fact;-1,was,scared;as hell.*
DUlinger r did; have: a- gun: ;x; was ;the
[Ohe.who,toot it .out of.his hand,- 'Of
[ course,-, wewanted'to'take: him’ alive,
[contrary: to what'many people'think;
t because - many 1 of i the • most; hardened
icrimlatit have: talked,” " J ” T. "';
1 l Mr,‘Purvis 1 swung; a-hard ‘blow Ha
the, direction of the credit system ex¬
istent tinymoet (police '* departments;
whereby one man or another receives
credit ifor 2 a »capture r although, \ the
feat t may;bo the.,result) of«the* com¬
bined, work, of many, ■ .; • ; ;
" “Th'ere'has: been>'a*strong. tendency
to; give • credlt-t to a one I'certam/man
rather,than.to all concerned,*; he said.
’.The -.entire', thing; is: ridiculous,.' and
brlngs.to mind a cartoon showing one
policeman .grasping/a 5 gun't from; the
htnd 'oil another.^ while; camera; meii
are poised for the shot' of a Criminal’s,
captor. ! .,Th,e. cartoon 1 is entitied The
chief; said its my; turn, today. ;,i ;'dont
care who patches the criminal.or.how
hfe-;Is' caught,!the'fact:should 1 remain
'that ihe ’.was.' caught,- /An > individual
front -• will/never; keep t'crime < down:
what IJi 'needed:*!* *a .co-operative
front.’*''t'' ‘ *’ ’ - - •'J
V U,' S.’iVVon’t work tynderhandedly
<} Mr; Putvls\sald * emphatically.; that
the'! Division of llavestlgatlons-would
not compound ? a (felony ja order?to
capture a criminal.' i ■
»* .''Such' method* ■ are= Unnecessary ? to
capture criminals," he ‘said; ' “Ethical
and/.scientific';methods/, plus /-horse-
sense - and >■ good judgment,; are lessen*
tial la the, battle against crime;. Tbat
1*• theihestlway/to.=keep erime,>which
will.; never/ be 1 eradicated,; down*, to “ a
minimum.?, >; iv/,/•'>
i'. The salaries of special agents in the
Division of Investigation are, not com- ,
mensurate-.with * the i lmportanoe 1 of
thelrlduties,; accordingito - one ,.who ,
should’know, ' -." *f-|j ’. /
■ 1 “Agents recelve tS a day as expense
money, with /Which to pay-their, hotel
bills:andl thet like.* ?Mr.'Purvis ;eald;
“but Houdlnl couldn’t do the: work - on
that amount of money. 5 We,who were
la the bureau'know; that agents'have
on too many, occasions paid from’ their
own-pockets to get information." ' ‘t
' sin an Interview after the .luncheon,’
Mr.! Purvis * said 3 again! that) he ■ had
doaef everything, possible,to .save Mrs/
Anna 5 Sage/the ."woman'in red.” who.
gave/ agents’;the ‘information< which
led to DUHnger’s death , 1 from deporta¬
tion/ i He'saldtthat.tin 1 keeping .with
his promise: to her/he had. placed'the
case f before 1 1 the’; proper-; 5 authorities
and recommended- that- she be allowed
to remam ln.the,United; States. 5
; - ,The-r frequently ? posedrquestten/as ,
4d why he had resigned from the; Fed- ,
eral service; he. answered; thus a . ,5
V 1 “I resigned because l:wanted-to."', -
; He ridiculed, the story, that -he had
quit because hi* face had become too 1
familiar to criminals for. comfort. >;
S As a parting word Mr/ Purvis called,
the; probiem-of, the; alliance, of: gang¬
ster* and lawyer* * 0 /abominable one,
with/the suppression ‘of [this, type 1 of
lawyer, a;difficult one*because’;of:the
constitution) ends the * time < honored
rule of law making a; communication
between-a lawyer.and client a prlvi- ,
leged one; ; ., t
^ *-*■ i"Wn»s
IP
^ 0 ^
1 telephoned Special Agent in Charge J. E. P. Dunn at the
Los Angeles Office, and informed him that I had discussed with you
the contents of his previous telephonic conversation with me this
morning, particularly the phase thereof which related to the capacity
in which Mr. Purvis was employed while in the service of this Bureau.
I told Mr. Dunn you had suggested that he, Dunn, might adoitly and
discreetly make some statement to the press ,in some manner which would
not appear deliberate as to the true status of Mr. Purvis while he was
in the service of the Bureauj that is, that he was Special Agent in
Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau.
Mr. Dunn said that through certain connections with the papers
out there, he believed that he can do just this.
'jam 1C '• u
I
JOHN. EDGAR HOOVER
jf'% f
* DIRECTOR
TDQ:RCL
JFcfccral ^Bureau: of ^nfostfigatioit'
■^1. p*ji.nrfnmtf of 3ihwittt
iSssfjhujtott, JL <E.
October 3,-1935•
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. TOLSON.-
Colonel Gates called at this office this morning
and stated, that .the Associated Press had called^him and stated
that one of its subscribers wanted* him'to ascertain the salary
of former Special.Agent in'Charge<Purvis at the time he tendered
his^resignation to the Bureau.•>
The'Colonel :was.of the opinion that' this information
would have to be furnished, in. view of .the 'fact that it was a
public office, but'? informed him that-Mr..Purvis no longer held
a public office in view of the-fact that he had resigned and that
the information.desired, was of such.a-nature that-no one but
theDirector, who was-absent from the ’city, could fUrnishuit.
i
~ Respectfully,,
'
t
T: ip. -Quinn.
XEROX
JAN 19
OCT P -1933
t w ° inns*
HlWi
~TWPF~
federal BUREAU OF INVISTIGMI0N-
ifi&T © IQ36 .u.
u.s. pEPAftnirKi.cF juynct
— *p v
FILE /j
E>TlCW
Time - 11*45 A.M#
October 9, 1935*
bmqpiwwm m m vimm
Ret THOMAS HIHRI ROBINSON, Jr., et alj
Allot Speed Stoll - Victim;
Kidnaping.
Mr. Nathan telephoned me fro* Louisville relative to tie trial
of Robinson, 8r«, Ann thoro, to report that about 15 alnntoa ago, tho
defense in opon oourt requested that Melvin Purvis bo oallod aa a wit-
aoaa for tha defense, to ahloh tho oourt oonaantod. Thia oaaa, according
to Mr. Nathan, juat aftar tho testimony of Mr. Relneoke, particularly aa
regarding what happaood whan tho ear oontalnlng Mra. Stoll, Mra. Robinaon
and tho othara, was a topped by tho Buroau auto oobllaa out of Indianapolis.
Tha point of controvery hlngaa around tha fact that Mra. Robinaon vaa taken
out of tho oar, and than returned to tho original ear In which Mra. 8toll
vaa sitting, tha defense endeavoring to prove that Mrs. Stoll said aha
wouldn't go a foot further unloaa Mra. Robinaon vaa returned to tho oar,
whereupon, aftar tha ears had proceeded a abort distanoe, Mra. Robinaon vaa
returned to tho ear vith the other vonenf that at thia tine, Purria had
gotten into tho oar with tha vonon, and vaa tha only nan present at thia
time. Relneoke testified that while Mra. Robinaon vaa returned to the original
ear, ho did not knowanything about any d ema nds which Mra. Stoll night have
node relative to Mra* Robinaon*a being returned to tho ear.
lo -ever, ho that aa it nay, Mr. Nathan aaid that Mr. Ptfrria haa
boon ottb poon a od aa a wltneasfor tho dafonao, and will probably bo in oourt
tomorrow morning.
Incidentally, Mr. lathan mentioned that they will probably use
Mr. Piokeriag aon e tiae today, and Douglas ia returning to Washington thia
afternoon*
*—»»**• OCT 16 1935 tf-'MM'
1 oontaotod Mr. lathan in Louiavllls again with reference ofcr
oonveraatlon about Melvin Purria and hla appaaraaee aa a r dtn o aa ^ thia
matter, and told Mr. Nathan that you wanted to bo sure thit the Agetttsdown
there were very circumspect in their dealings and oontaote-with purria.
Mr* Nathan mentioned that he has this in mind.
'
/
/
Meao far the Direoter
10 / 9/35
- 2 -
Mr. lathan said that another thing has developed ainoebe rs-
tumad to tha court room* Tha United State* Attorney's off loo foals that
if Farris will testify along the llnas to which tha other Agents haws testified*
it would be auob better for the ease If the Oot orm e nt subpoenaed hi*. Mr.
lathan said he intimated that finding out how Farris would testify end renting
to find out ere two-entirely different things* Mr. Isthan pointed, out that .if
Farris is brought down by the Qoreraaent under Qovammant subpoena* re will*
of course* to soee soctent be bosMdt bj what ha says* On the other hand* if ■
the defense brings hi* down* it will apjear that ha has-a sort of a halo around
his .head for the oontections of tha dafenso*
' f ,
X disouaaed this aattar with you while Mr. lathan hold tha phono*
sad than Informed Mr. Isthan of your opinion that if we interrlow Funds to
•aa to what he will testify in this aatter* wo would probably bo accused of
tampering with a witness, and further* that the facta are the facts regard¬
less of vhsther'Farris is .subpoenaed as a Government witness or a defense
witness} that einoe the United States Attorney does hare the foots* the United
States. Attorney should hare a pretty good idea to ahathe would testify.
Mr* lathan said that slaoe the defense has requested in open
oourt the Judge to issue a subpoena -for Farris for tha defease* It is his
opinion the Oereraaeat aight as well subpoena hia as a former employee.
Of eourse* Mr* Mathan said that the United 8tates Attorney will da tha
final deciding*
ttae - 1*30 F*M*
I eon tasted Mr. lathan again* and toldhiia that eubeequeni to
ay prior oonrersation with hia* I had had occasion to discuss this aattar
with you personally* X told hia that you fool if Farris during his testimony
•tries to asks say untrue statea sa ts* or otherwise indicates that he is
attempting to help the defease* tha United States Attorney aight undermine
his testiasuy a great deal by bringii* out fro* Furris his testimony oon-
oernlng the feet that the woman got sway froa hia when he was trying to
keep her under ourreillsnos an the-night she proceeded .fro* Masbvills 'to
Indianapolis. Mr* Mathan said that he resells this situation* and there
would appear to be only trouble with this particular aattar, and that is the
feet that ha* in order to pro toot our Agents and our interests* has indicated
to the United States Attorney that his instructions wsr* that she was to be
shadowed* of course* but not to such an extent as to let her know she wee
being shadowed* and in the e#ent she showed any signs of suspecting that she
was being shadowed* the shadowing should bo dropped* Mr* lathan said that
obviously he did not went anybody to know that we had flunked on the natter
or had double-crossed anyone* X pointed out* however* to Mr* lathan that
if it can be brought out that the great lo* 1 0-Man* Melvin Purvis* had flunked
on this kind of an assignment* it would probably serve as a basis upon which
the Jury oould fora their opinion as to what kind of s Q.-Man ha really was*
Muo for the dreotor
10/9/35
X told Mr* Jlathan that you did not think the Bureau should take
the initiative and take a shot atMelvin Purvis on a situation like this un¬
less it appears obvious that he is trying to help the defense* Mr* Nathan
said that in the event this latter situation appears, he oan at ones arrange
things to bring out the natter which is the subject of the instant conversation*
Mr* Nathan than said that a. subpoena has bean issued by the
Covernnent Sailing for tha appearance of Purvis at louiarilla in this oese*
Mr* Xathen said that the Qhitad States Marshal has baan oontaoted by tele-
phona at Chioagej that the Marshal has talephened tha Bursan's Chicago
Office asking for the telephone ntuabar of Purvis* which wss furnished to
hinf that, however, the Marshal has beanunabLktto gat in touch with Purvis*
This is the situation at tha present sonant*
Respectfully,
B* A* TAMM*
* •
Jjebmtl ^Bureau of (Sfjtftesiigaiiojt
£>. ^Ofpnrfment of 3 Ju«tfct
Los Angeles,- California
October 9, 1935
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U. S. Department of Justice
.'Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Mr, KitUi_
Mr. ToIiOn.»,U,._.
Mr.' Srafbua
CUif OtrkwM.HM.
Mr. Cl»it »«i*U
Mr. Coffey
JMr. Edward* kMUlU
i Mr. Eg»n....„...
Mr. Foxworti
Mr. Bubo
Mr. Joseph ..........
Mr. Keith
MP* na*
Mr. QaJ»a,...,..„.„
Mr, StUMter,_....
Kx.'TtKxy
Mr. Traey ■ urneueU
Miss CtzSy ..........
m«* V*»j* ■ •< ■'•■••i* ■*•**« >
»■■>* « *»jr» v (Min
I am transmitting newspaper articles-appearing in
local papers concerning former Special Agent in Charge Melvin
Purvis, as follows:
1. September 26, 1.935, Los Angeles Herald &
Express, Winchell*3 Column;
2. October 1, 1935, Los Angeles Herald & Ex¬
press, entitled "Allege Ace G-Man Quit in
Huff Over ’Woman.in Red*";
3. October 1, 1935, “Los Angeles Herald & Ex¬
press, entitled "Claim Purvis Quit in Huff
Over Dillinger Case Woman";
4.
5.
October 1, 1935, Los Angeles Times, entitled
"Purvis Says Mrs. Sage's Story True";
October 2, 1935, Los Angeles Herald &-Express,
Winihfell’s Column;
JEPD:AB
Encs. 6.
(Offer eclBdst
>; Melvin 1 purvis,'f ormer; head,, of
•Justice Fpepartmeht&agentA ;ih
' < t i’UjVJW* */» * IWi' r ■W"' * J "
J ! On --receipt:.'of (Matthews's/mle-
nation,' it .was, learned,: Fitts opened
negotiations; looking/towardUhe: in-
stallatioh oi< Purvis ashts successor.
The,- 1 two »arV understood Ho t have
discussed''the matter at Considerable
length /Thursday over the telephone;
put; spokesmen rfOr/ Pitts? last* night
detuned • to s saywhether.(the.-: oiler
was * accepted/ ..Fitts :is\put'o*' the
eity>:and:?his > statement ;was-‘nH*
available..''’^ ’ ■ Jv
» pnrvis.isiightlot • buifd'iapd.'. mild
ofmanner^-.for" several :years,''until
his- own s resignation* recentlyswas
the- outstanding«nemesisof l gang?
$ters\in /America ;and i was* largely
inst rumental i in “ tracking ; down* and
either' killing or- bringing •: to: Justice,
a '/ number.' oi ? so-called (public /ene¬
mies. . at'wa^-heiwho: set/'th eVtrap
FITTSiSEEKING/:
P.URViS^AS.AlbE
■ j,(C ontinued 'from ijfirst' Page); v
that: snared. John iDilHrigerp “Pretty
Boy” >: Floyd: and-'others..; . s
' : : By .making'.overtures (to -Purvis,
! generally > acknowledged ;peer oi /Ws
; profession^Fltti, 1 it ;was-pointed? out
last? night,; has-, demonstrated t that
be *stm 4 holds (Matthews #, InVhigh
esteem—the? caliber f'oi /Investigator
. Ee 'seeks as.'a successor. being* a >dt-
iwar on; out laws, 1 sought; bye Fitts y ', i rest' complimentf to r Matthews^: rec-
investigator. ! .in’(California" ^ntts
tr\T..TfP C ’ :T)T1T\C has.;been: quoted'-as saying Of -his
iMMiurfDil/Oi' ! .chief: de teet . "an,d «tl ha to tosee
■, $'*■', i ( i * _ ' *,'« 1 .ninx. 1 go. * „ '•*.<’ *■ ji, i
f . stiTitnSnfO 'Matthews/; graduate, ’.of';-»North-
P11IV iRI jKWilS westera , .UniYersity:and of',thc;Xl'ni-
' h V/1V 1 ,v/Av>i. AU vefsity;ofisou,them/California*law
' , • ■ : — i— ,. ' r 'll - , school,^ joined .the District Attorney’s
, . r ' ^ s v -;i i staff:In December.'1928/as;head!of .
I .Extender ioftiOutlaw Drive the -bureau ,of investigation, .'He
■’ . v ' ' I later-, was';.named (bylFUts-tot head
Sought'A f ter.Designation’ fa,;, special ‘squad ’. cdnflhed. /almost
-*VsT»i' • i'nf-V.i '• 1 l 1 exclusively to extortion-and. kidnap;
, - , ofDlaynef-Mattneus ' ’nig(plots,/ • , - / ,
: ' i . >■ ' ' f
: .Confrontedwith t the t impending
loss of his chief special investiga’tor,
:bist,-Atty,.'Fitt$->has?beeh;./maktog -
efforts' ? to if epga^ei .Melvin;; pPrvis;
.who (until /.recentlyi’-was 'head 1 ;of
.the ■: Department; of; justice.; agents
in/the - ? fields tit H>was‘i learned "from
reliable'sources.last-.night, , • ■
’-.The disclosure followed announcer
meat (that : Blayhey * Matthe'wy,( vet¬
eran* Chief' special/Investigator •< of
Fitts's,:staff, \ has- - tendered > hisres?
IgnatiOn; to i become i eflectivo ‘.'JN o-
vemheril.'- ^Matthews i has; accepted
ah important post,'at-.Warner, Broth?
iFOR'PURVIS
■ exclusively to extortion and -kidnap?
J'ih* ȴ s -L-. .?._
;\i -»i i-**’ »••
Mr Trlt
Mr. &-i -»A '• =
CS'./ef < trek •
Mr t '.fi’. '
Mr. I’-rFr r
V.r ft',!-:
Mr * 1
Mr
Mi '1
Mi*. , '»*,<*■■ *
j 1 ' ><■ i
Mi l-i-.i/
Mr.
Mr iVi""-
Mr, TV 1
fe i»»,m*j**'*-**'% ! '
■XlSHO/1
,|ftN If nA
LOS ANG2LES M TIMES"
OCTOBER 5, 1935.
i' Recommended to ' You, \You and
.You; Stanley,Walker’* •‘The Bob¬
ber, ; Barons” f piece da the, next
Stage. andJame*. Cannon’* essay
on Gotdon & Revtl in Collier’*. •. •
JLoule Armstrong’*''crew, -Eleanor'
[Rowell, .'Milton -Eerie, ‘Joe‘Hum-
fphrtes.’the beloved announcer.and
[Niels Goodelle, a new and delight¬
ful i robin ■ on -the Win-Shell Oil :
.Show next Saturday night... ;Wal«
; isee d Beery vdll t be. ‘that - show's,
m.e. i the .'following- week..The t
ijjL'f Rlchmaa-Hazei -.Forbes > matter.
Isn’t any gag... Melvin Purvis will
i'talk in the •'atrictly-off-the-record” (
manner, at a party,for him thrown
by “Red 1 1 Book at the Waldorf
(Thursday -.a ext' i at c noon...; It’* ! a
‘Blessed Eve-nt over at the Rudolf ;
Fr'iml, Jr.’s.
■rg&S'-
LOS ANGELES n HERALD EXPRESS’*
OCTOBER 2, 1935.
formation which i«d to, the hES&»g
of'Joh* PHQjig«r,-:tti*\^U *ubO«
enemy" Ne^Vdt -- *\ ! »'*.«.«•*
»! The former ace "Oman* refused
to comment oo hla reiignataoik but
acknowledged Uriuf S&go’i'part ta
the ambush of the outlaw and ad"
wjjtted ho bad promised to aid h«r
la bar fight against d«^rtaUoo to
Rumania.^ , „s/<.L a a^. * * J;
;"^admits nto>asE >• a ?
fJ. fSho did' furnish the Uforma*.
; tton which lod to PdSager's cap-,
. tow * Furvle uM, “and X. for one,
amnot ungratef ut^'V V J
( * “12 *lao*r«Ij j th£*k (th*t i *oo>o
' atop ebouM bo lake* to atop h®r
- deportation _*• yi 1^t- ';-h 1
>-> “Had the not furnlahed the tn»
! formation tt U oattrely.poaelWn
many j other ^ brave offloere' aad
*v*» private cltUc —o —pl ey — -of
i banka, and»other#, < might have <
bee* kSBed before XWhegcr could
• have bee* apprehended., - .
' v*I < Informed her that' X would
briar to |he attention of. tho ap»
• propriate official* in Washington
; her action* ft* aiding tho goverm-i
meat and. that X < would. rccom*
mead that tome atep bo take* to
1 prevent her deportation) ,
n *>;; v^tbap strung- \? x /
A Z*t have done that**,j t
► Dflttinger wa# *hOt to death 'July
2V193^ X* front of -the Btograph
theater# * neighborhood wvU on
Chicago 1 * north aide ,-,■ x \ v —A,
v .With ‘ the outlay a* he-’ stepped
from.: the * theater' lobby n onto - the
»%. aj „ ; * ’J v j:
t* - Wo s wor# waiting \ there.*, ho
* “W. ^whe* Mra, Sage telephoned
t and «aaid *ho j. wee ■■ going * with
fJPoDy UamiOto* aod'XMIKager to
> the tUograph theater that *ighV -
fPnrvi* rounded up 2 S agent*
? «Mt wo aorrouaded tho theater*
; rS , V PESXTCRADO SlAtX' M-
;^fjPurria'' eat" Xn < hie 'car.'al the
I curb, co mm a n di n g * view of th#
entire theater lobby, and waa to
-tight * cigar aa eoo* aa ho aaw,
, DUftager atep Into tho lobby. The*
iwo woro to doaoln r! V'Mj
T"‘ 'Tmrvla gave tho aignaV’-. .. v ]
“Aad tho next moment wo were
f face to face with XKBiager a* ho
* atroOed 1 out;of itbo 1 lobby.'Mra.
' Sago o* one arm* ToDy XUmBto*
os tho other. C-j- ^ J 1 - ^ lv • 1 f-\
: er&Dj Botioed tho “plank* '
J.ifSho * Whiepered; In^PilXUger'a
) oar-T,^ •. \v_jJ’Ai !. \i'' i # - 1
v :< “Everybody aald WBSnge f «id**t
<Carry * goniBot ho dhL^ 6,.
; « f XHXhager reached Into hie light
1 ; \
\’M
.';.3 rOULYf HAMILTON U’i. .£
W-««t f. L*9 f WicA DUli*i*r
*tr«t u<t toto th« trip. »u Mr.;
SigA «I*4 In' a timing red trw
to. lid tl«: fiderii: »«■ to,' tlelr
MeaOfldtitn.
So* wu kut- 1 fiw itipi iwiy
wb«i tti abott iwt eut tbit ended
ts«! Moody" crltto career : of (lie
bandit.'-. ■ i 1 i,.V. ,.i .,>!
Til ■“wottia U red,*' thrici con¬
victed of keeping diaorderiy reaorta
la ladiMV vat about to be taken
eaat with a band of deporteta las
Saturday vfcaa fcar,attorney*,'cl
tsired « wilt of babeaa oorpus. ’
n
'** ‘t 1 * -i** \ ■
*• K/.h ■)
• I
(OvefDillingerCaseWoman
tCldim ^Purvisl Quitih Huff
J CHICAGO, OcC^Th# »y»t#ry
^concerning Melvin Furvbf , realgnee
ttiou u bend o< the .Chicago office
<»r |eto»eetieeel,»oe* ••r.Jc.
i 'Attorney, tor the “women t>re<T
'ohnrgediha Mtle. meek-»ppearl»g
i |w whoee very swim itrucb terror
, - 1 * the murderous bearte ot (be nor
«on’» moot 1 hardened i letter, i «ttt
the »ervice U.:i ho« neceuse too
i roveromeot reneged on ft* promise
I* veanceU (hot deportation; order
'.' against the 'wonee *e red,MXr,
, Aon. Sore.‘A* return' foe her- In.
Jt«a tigtuid fa ¥ H+ft OM^i #r*A«*
i»T wilt tr+minf, CJW** v,? .*? >M
formation v/Wchlcd fa fa* WQtog
of (,>*«• »wWA«
«5«my N<fc?I4-„.’ 1
fTto« fon»*r *e* •‘G^maa refvwd
to oo»w»«nt 0 * hi* j««g»*Uo». but
acknowledged • Kr*^ Saga’l part fa
fa* wfauBh. oftb* outlaw and a4«
Btftted, b# h*4 promA»«4 to «34 h*r
U he* fight afiatost'-aepoftatlou, to
FUu»a*Ia. ‘i, -»t -**.■>./ ?■* J( ,. j/ »i’t <v» -
.admits m>MisK ♦
t- -t
KfSho^ld furaUV th* *»fcrw*H
tio* which te<l fa C*P^
twC I*urvS» aaid* “and Jt loir ooo*
am »ot n**rat«fuL , iV
y “I A aiaoerely < think? that % tone
' »tep khoold h© fak*g to »top h«f
^doportatSon#^,' ,V, ? W, - *’ V,;.
. . “Had »h« »ot forolshod tho fa-v
formation it i U entirely v powlhla
many i other i bravo f ofOoer* t aod
•ve* private citlaeao, employe* ot
f banka t and ♦ other*, «naif>t ;k*vn«
bee* kTOed before WBBnder oool^
4 brine to the attention of the ap-
i proprlate official* fa Wakhington
>er action* fa aktfaf the eovern-c
noeot and ; that I would recooa-
mend that *em# *tep bo taken fa
prevent Jt^K deportation/ >'.'** ’]
•[c > xiwp sr»cN<»; ■ '•*:
, VI i»v, do»Vtb»V* ' ; '( ‘ ■•> »;*l
«. rnUwger.'weg «)«><; l® death Jnly
«t,!*9S4,<t» ftw>t ot the. Btogrdpb
tbeaterja'nelgbtorboed nwvie nn
Cjtieag# - *' north etda.:’ ,. *>, '
. ..WJth ■ the ■ ouWav- a» >« eteyped
Iroini the : theater i lobby; onto, (bo
tained '* wrK ot baboao cor pan A?
bearing on .(tu'Xacto v* bo held)
>, Glenn Stretch.*' ®»»t ’ Chicago-' de-j
tective. «OWO>to.tbotoidI0(Jfboj
“woman 1 (a red'- today. , : 1
f ■’ “Ibo. two roea 5 who 1 were c u I
Charge oX the department «t Joa-'f
tieo at Chicago (Payvla ae4 Saoa.
.“wetilV Cowley,' later lulled te a
gas battle with ."Baby face' Neb-
aoa). ■ praoiiard s.ber i twice' that
they, weald drop;the caeo when
•he delivered; up ■ PtBiog»r.» Owe -
orncere beard theao pronjJaee and
will come te eowrt to- »ept»» to
theea.*,bn aatd.'.'.it
■ The* Streteb for. the • tiret due
told the! naiade”, ntory oX the deatb
ox DiSioger.
v Stretch, ,/| two . -other.« detectlvee.
Zaifcovlcb and Capt* Tim CFNed oX
the £ Baet - Chicago' poSce^ came' to
XwrvU' otOce.bero tho day oX -Jviy
2% IMdcrct -er. - ■ l..... ^ , *-
i 1- “VV’e; Wero - Waitlag, there,.; j3E"
1 aald, fwbew Hta Sago telephoned. .
and -. aald »'ahe . wae ; going i with
roily'Hamilton and Odhager to
;th* JBiogreph theater that night.
t •'I'urvia rownd.Mi op 2S agenta
‘ and wo narroonded the theater.'.
i DBSmtADO SLUX - . ,
“PurvU Mbt in. U» «•!.*< fa*I
owK co m manding * view of Ch« I
f enttrp theater jk)bby. n»d Wn* fa 1
light * cigar an aoo* an hn nnw j
JWUfagor *tcp fafa fan lobby. Then $
* wo worn fa clone fa-’ u . 4 ^ ‘ #
is-“Porvla gave fa* aignall ^ s
•s “And fa* *«xt moment wn wern A
fac* fa fac* with Kflfager aa h* i
f stroOed i *w* > bf 11 fa* lobby,Mr*. J
'Sag* o* ♦»* aros T«Hy HamOfan «•
*» fa* 'Cfaor^,’"C A i * 1* **. ^ '
‘■ffaPy notooed fan
$ ‘,r*Sh#whispered fa fc XWflfager'* ^
; W .“IC very body *ald Mfag«v didn’t \ \
Carry a gpJv rRut he dld,^ * , * **• '
lVWWMW reached fafa W» rights
If. ViroU.Y’HAMItTON .
t ♦ A*ril 5A#w £>i5iu»r«r ;
«**•»*«*** I
W* W*o**» ««h*obhd I
>x«r. 3P*W(A»**
CMnf Cisrkhv.awj
Wo CUg*e.M«M«.
Mr. Cotf#y h»i.m..*« 1
fciwnrdn -*o»h,«*d j
Mr, **•»* .n,oo<n*
Mr, ..
Mr. «nri>o
Mr. donej'b
fMoitaft “«.•«» MM*
r _uXP^Ot-
jan ism
THSSULD EXPRESS"
,935.-
- (MRS.'ANNA-SAGS «
thVy Jn X.X. D—l, W*h C-Hen ,
in . '^TnW/ne tfeerlagi :/ I : >,
pocket^and %rew the gwV a it *1,
'automntio.tc,'-, 1 ,:-. <. ' J ’- -t-
{t “He rlooked ‘ over’hie- aheuhlee ,v
innee.’i then t atartod * renntng. b>* 4
igvm m hi* tot' 1 ' ;:,', 11 1 :t i.-
. s “Refer*, be, had f Ton ; J J » etepa w"
O'Neil .hot Mot- - Ibo two (ederal l
'men with*, .hot at the tame in- i
. .taot and both oX them .bit * Mi- J
- Unger.’- “Any : *ne «!.-tbo»o»fw*t
> three; bullets would have VUled J
bSm.i.'»,iA..'t.._'r. i :« J'».*.■> '"f
street and Into the trap,;waa Wral
Sage,' clad }»' a'Xlamlng,red dreeol
to - aldjthe, federal -.noea-th • tbelgj
Identification.-* », , - -^.v. j
/She waa but'a few step* r away!
when the shot* rang out that ended,
the. bloody a crime- .career, of.. the-
bondit-". J^/,i. .y ■ ' , eh J.l'3
[VTh. rwoman fa ted.**' faric* c<^
vlcted of keeping dHorderly re«ort*
» Indian, wm about to bn taken'
eaet with a band at deportee* laat]
Saturday when her attorney» - oh^
r
( i
'Kt, ‘‘p' 1 ' ■*-« ■'•'***
Mi*,
i '
' ' '
* i
»
> 4* «tt- 1 *• i • •
Mr ' >»s/
Vu ft&i
Mr $<’ ‘ u t*
i-'r 1.1 -
,.lr S’,»**«,.•» '
Ul "% *> *
Ml’, -H’f ' ,
'V, bW,i
Me L>‘?
yWinchell'sl
jiSssifc ?M
Ml. %4'juon
Mr i><
Mr
i Mr 'fr.'<4 j
# #f.' I ^ * ■ T ’ 4 j'|V dI
S' By.WALTER WINCHELL J
yTht'Private*Pepert
'Cub Reporter ,* , , ’’Vtl/'
''/'Whenever a flicker studio pinches '
< the pay envelope of a mohey'-niaker<'
.! thej.star'a ' following, bomixsrd*:, the 1
smovlfehoslses with* lettereuntinhey.f
<r hive, to sweeten" the’aetpr*s;Vage* •,
f; ... <• A, .notable; exaxnple'.of . this:, fan \
jiojjaltyiSvnnfJiminyiC&gne^'hetter'.
ipay/.wfijch! hV.^o’uhtteaa'/iJe^emtl *.
>, Cagney.played|the' title role In t
' ;*a M en you. know/ and ittsacoi;
‘Incidence,, ; maybe, > that, /nobody'
?raUie!d( to i theVcomf ort » ofi Mtlvin i
i Purvis,* who' had-to get * out',of ; the :
l V.t; S.;*ervice'because of ; the' short;
/salary,.'. . .Puryls only did the things ^
i that Cagney. pretended to dointhe r
j picture, .The 'only .reason we, recall jr
f the,inctdent * i*.-thaV" Johaf H.’iMc-s;
, iEver^yho, helped* put Capohei in;
; jail/is/esighlngasAss’t'AU’y,.Gen-;
t erat j^order to,make a Jivingprac- ,
I tieing'i»W* |,^fhej movies ,show:- a'
|he|tei ^appreciation’ of,, talent : than 1
ftihcleSatm / /' ’ •, 1 * r j
■
LOS ANGELES “HERALD EXPRESS”
SEPTEMBER 26, 1935.
mmsmi
^ r ■ i
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t
(
1
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I,
i
Boat Offio* Bex #818
Chicago ^Illinois
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
Fwmayl'vaaU Are. at 9th St*, H. V*
Maahingtoa, D« C.
Oetiefesr 8th* 19
(fl-Wi;
/ ^
A : 4
>. i
Bear Sirl
OCT 16 1935
f
f
/
X aatranenitting hern1th photoetatia mrt of the O o vw ra seaVs
endow te -the petition.sad the oaendod petition for a wit of
habeas corpus filed by Mrs. Anna Sage#
y In connection with this annear partioular attention la £lreet*€
'/ Cte bhlbit 4* and particularly te the >loee waited therein eon*
fy'Y\*rTojv*wK^^ a telephone conversation bad by Mr* Brows of the jDepartaent
r, rf labor on Sopteebev flat, 10», with Mr. 5* A. Teas of ,tha
Ionas. It la noted thereia that Mr. laws inf earned Mr, Breen that
^usa>» wplicit instructions ware outstanding to all Field Office# ef the
1 lureau of Investigation that they were, under wo oiroonstanoes, to
take any premise of insanity to any person as the proalae would
, aot.be binding and ef no offset.
At tho tlsa this snaaer naa received by the writer iron Mr. Auetin
Ball, Assistant United States Attorney, ha stated that whan this
petition had bean filed by the Gowerneeat in Federal Court he had
apart ft tally pointed eat that partioular portion of the answer te
the newspaper nan.
During the disouaeloa with Assistant United States Attorney Ball
eoaaarning this natter, ha stated that it was his iutentioa te avoid
using Mr.^rurvis as a witness in this hearingj that he does net
desire te give Burris any publicity and that he feels that Burris*
only interest la this natter is the publicity which he ean gain
therefrom. Mr. Hall further renarked that At was his opinion that
Mr, Purvis was not friendly to tho fetresu anyway.
In connection with the answer as filed I desire to call at tention gMBQ'
the fact that sana ia filed by the Bureau of Immigration ad& fcatur-
alisatioa of the Departawnt of labor and not by the United AiAfceA n. '
Attorney** office.
-* A (tad*
fbis nottor will b# folio#*d Aon It 1# oollodfor hoorlag on
Ootobor 16th» ^ aad in tfa# owont thor# or# ony dorolopoioat*
prior to that tin# tbo Jfatoou #111 bo proojrtlgr Inforaod thoroof*
Tory truly four*.
n&«zn
'OOO*
D* M« law
Spool*! Afont In ChorfO
164681
i
, " - -
1 •
•
' i
• t
;
L__-
1
October 11, 1935
j
i
»
t
Tits** 5*30 ?.M.
uwtmw yog-^it.jram
yy
m Melvin B. Purvis.
X* the course of * telephone conversation with Mr.
Frank Waldrop ha expressed regret at Mr. Purvis* action*
alnoa h* had left tha Bureau. Mr. Waldrop stated that hia
apparent end**tor to achieve th* utaoat publicity and th*
present trend of hia activities would in hia opinion soon
beooee distasteful to the public and a reaction would set
in against Mr. Purvis. I stated that th© actions of fir.
Purvis and also his secratary who is now publishing a scries
of articles ware particularly regrettable as the public
sight in the future be reluctant to entrust confidential
inf creation to the Bureau then they beooae aware that sotseone
sight at a latar date sell the story for publication, I
stated that of coure* there w; a no law which prevented this
sort of thing. Mr. Waldrop expressed the opinion that the
F.B.J. sen ought to adopt the attitude of the average Arsqr
officer who keeps his silence. I agreed with Mr. Waldrop.
Very truly your*.
John Edgar Hoover,
Director.
• 4
FlDU<i m, t ' n r " i J '" ‘ i'i Al't'N
OCT 14 1U35 .y.
I i/f JLi' V'"F
c nr*' 1 ’!
U S.JJ
* M* «.»*>♦ ** *
Fli£
»
Post Office Box #812
Chicago ,Illinois
4
\
i
i
i
©mrkamal and
JSBB£UKt0BSOL
October fith, 1988
i
Ajarawfor
*»»•* of Inwestigatioa
MMd H>Wi Daparteent of fustian
Paaaayloonie An, at 9 th 8 t.. I* 9 «
Vashlngten, D* C*
£sar Bin
iith further nfimn to wgr letter of Beptaafeer 9 th, 1888 , oenoera-
lA( K4gm article which Mrs* Doris Rogers Lotksrssn indicated she
****** wito, % prawians loiter referred te a* offar white aha
roeo l w od flat Collier*• megaelno for this article*
Boafintef or telephonic oanmersation with Assistant Dirooter C. A,
folaaa an tho naming of Oatebar 5 th, 1955 , I dsaira te adrlaa that
teeCfaieofe Daily tribune for Oetober fth oarfiee a half page adwwr-
tlaemeat in dicating teat a aariaa of articlaa written by Daria
T etee rr m n win ho tea ia tea Chicago Tribune beginning Monday naming,
October 7 th* 19 * 5 * 1 ao tranamlttlag haoraaith a aapy of tela advar-
tiaaaaat obtained froa tea Ghloago Daily Tribune. The Bureau will bo
kept prenptl&adTlSfd of further darelepnents ia connection aith tela
matter* Copies of all artiolaa will, of course, bo forwarded to tea
Bureau*
x* connection aith tea ten matter Z desire to adtiae that Mrs. I*
Maokia, a ataaographor la tea C his a g o Bureau Office, baa informed aa
teat aha l e arn e d frwn Mra* Uckemea recently team aba had arittea am
artiolo and had rooeiw ed am of for fortho publication of tela article;
that' shortly after teo resignation of//Mr* Porrla'teo. tea* Lockemaa.
aaanaaioatad with him and ahovad hi* tea artiolo white she had written
and at that tine Mr* Stands requested that aha not public this article
inaatete aa it meuld inter faro with tea sale of Ms articles, which *>w-^
was at that tim* negotiating,
Mrs* locksman further informed Mrs* Mankin that Mr* Purvla auggoatod
to bar, Mrs* Leekeman, at that tiao teat ho weald got in tench with'
hor at a later date and teat ha was desirous of her aaaiatanoa in
, **»at
9$4
t, y-->s'nt, - £ y
vritlbg * book* Hwarn**, Mr** lodnnu intamad Mrs* Mankin that
ah* bad ntvar bi#ard any further word fro* Mr* Purri* oonoaralag thl*
Witter*
f «7 truly your*,
JttULfM D* M* LADD
•no* Special Agant in Chart*
AIR MAIL .
inteflli IjtfTWf
^ tffROl
19
XATicny
October 10, 1935*
Time - 3i07 P.M*
SAPflai FOR TH E DIRECTOR
Thomas Henry Robinson, Jr.,
Alio* Speed Stoll - Victim)
Kidnaping*
.V^I
Mr. lathan celled me from Louisville to report that MELVIM PURVI8
has been down thara and baa teatlfiad for the Government in oonneotlon with
the trial of the a|^ve matter. Mr* lathan said that hi* testimony was vary
conaervativa, and did mot hurt the oaae at all* Generally speaking, Purvis
taatifiad that the ear containing the victim, the Robinson woman and the
too Clays, eas stopped at a point in Indiana) that the Robinson woman was
first taken out of the ear) that all of tha women were hysterical, rand the
8tall woman requested that the Robinson woman be put back in the oar, which
was dome* tlth regard to the money, he testified that it was passed to the
victim by the Robinson woman, and that if ha or anyone else had it, it wns
jest for a very few minutes. They wanted to prove that tha nosey was out
of tha oar, and in this regard Purvis testified that he never knew the money
waa out of tho ear, and further that he did mot know of any Agent having
possession of the money*
Mr* Sathan said that the defense if mow on tha stand, the Govern¬
ment having rested, end it la tha opinion of Mr* Ms than that they will
finish taking the testimony sonatina tomorrow afternoon*
Mr* lathan said that Mr* Reins eke la going back to hia head¬
quarter# this afternoon* The rest of tho Agents are remaining, and it is
tha opinion of Mr* lathan that they night be able to got out of there
tomorrow night, but he le not aura of that* ,. r ■* ^
Respectfully,
X?' s,'**
• * "-'Oj
s. *. turn. If 3 <3?
J£H:AS:KLM
October 1, 1935*.
Tiae-1:2G P.M.
•*
MEMORANDUM :FOR SR. TAMM
HE: 'Mrs. Anna -Sage, "The %$an
in .Red"..
Mr. Brien McMahon -telephoned and stated that he ‘had
received a telephone call from Mr. Xgoe, -the United States Attorney
of the Northern District of Illinois, who reported that the Uhleago
newspapers wore playing this matter up. Mr. McMahon said that Mr.
Igoe's .idea was to stall the thing along as long as possible and
then 'come ‘to Washington and talk the matter over. Mr. McMahon also
stated that Mr. .Purvis had ;coae in and requested to be subpoenaed and
then when the subpoena was issued Mr.vpurvis would ;n'ot talk, but after
leaving the building proceeded to Mid a press conference. X stated
that the actions of .Mr. Purvis in this aatt -r appeared to be entirely
motivated by a desire for publicity. I added that Mr. Purvis 1 artidles
In the Red Book were soon 'to be published and he was .also making
so-called ■"off-the-record" speeches at luncheons.
X suggested 'to Mr. McMahon that in ay opinion the best
policy .for the United States Attorney to pursue would be to bring
the deportation proceedings ho a clQse as soon as possible and get -the
whole thing over with; that with -the case pending, it only provided
Mrs. Sage's attorney and certain other parties an opportunity to
capitalize on the publicity.
i
1 further stated ho Mr. McMahon that X had noticed in the
press that Purvis,did not say that he had promised Mrs..Sage immunity
from -deportation, hut that he had stated that he would .recommend that
she be not deported, adding "that he did not have nor did I have the 1
authority. X stated X did not know lust what Mr. Purvis did tell her,
but Mr. Cowley, who was handling 'the matter, did take up with me "the
matter of securing for Mrs, Sage a three months delay -in the deportation
proceedings; that the .question of the delay was .in tram taken up by me
with the Attorney General and we did secure -through the labor Department
a delay in the deportation proceedings. X stated that in addition
.when we .paid Mrs 1 . Sage the $5,000 X secured from her a signed release
while she was in California, releasing us from all promises, contracts,
■obligations and commitments.
Mr. McMahon brought up the question of the damage that would
be brought about if the idea was widely publicized that we give our
worn and. then fail to keep it. I stated that X felt such unfavorable
Memo for Mr. 1am
- 2 -
October 1, 1935*
publicity would not Hast long if Mr,. Purvis would make an outright
.statement of the truth and If the proceedings were brought to a con¬
clusion .as soon as possible*
Mr. McMahon stated that Ur. Igoe .had mailed communications
■to : the Attorney General, Mr, ieenan, to" me, and to the Chicggo, Bureau
Office. I stated -that ip to the .present 'time I had received no word
from ‘the United States Attorney.
In connection with any st tements to be made by the Bureau
.1 stated that I thought ire should make no further statement until the
case "had been decided at thich time It was ay opinion that a dignified
'statement of facts should be released. The release of such a state¬
ment would of course depend on the attitude of the Department, in -the
event such a statement is to be .released I informed Mr. McMahon that X
could "be reached by telephone as I was about to leave for the Middle
»“est.
Very truly yours.
Join idgar Hoover
.Director.
In< view of the :fact that .I sa leaving :Los Angeles tomorrow
en route to Chicago, I today contacted Ur. Joseph I. Breen of the
Association of Motion Picture Producers, Inc., (Hays organization)
for the purpose of developing the.latest available information concern¬
ing the progress made by one of our foraer.associates to obtain employ¬
ment in the motion'picture industry, j
You will recall that some days ago,, I advised Mr. Tolson by
telephone that at that time Mr. Breen had assured me that he believedlmo
credence should be placed in the story which was then in circulation in
New York to the effect that a $25,000.00 contract had beenmade..
Mr. Breen today informed me that he has kept a careful' check^on
the situation during the recent :past, and has made many discreet inquiries
concerning-the matter, and he is morally certain that no connection has
been made. He stated that through the agency with which the young-man is<
identified, a very earnest effort has been made to secure a .position’as'
technical adviser, and that certain representations in this respect have
been made to the Hays organization.
In this connection, Mr. Breen informs me that he has on several-
occasions advised producers in the industry that there was no^requirement
that they hire-a technical adviser .for the reason that this organization
and this office were available at all times for such service, and^th. at ~~you t
had repeatedly given assurance of your extreme willingness to cooperate"
this.regard. ' ' T 7 o
In speaking.generally on the subject of technical adviser on
"Special Agent" pictures, Mr. Breen referred specifically to Don Wilkey,
who has .heretofore, to seme extent, assisted in this field, and'informed me
that he, Breen, had taken steps to eliminate Wllkey ^from:,future-employment
of this character.
03
Director
.10-12-35
-2-
Mr. Breen spoke in a most complimentary manner of you, end
referred particularly to the remarks which you made in a recent speech
at New York; X believe before some advertising club of the picture in¬
dustry. He stated that he regarded’your remarks as having been very
helpful, indeed, to his organization; Mr. Breen also referred to the
fact that Attorney General Cuamings recently in Europe made a speech
vfoich he regarded as being'.very complimentary and helpful to his or¬
ganization. He expressed great appreciation of both these instances.
I assured Mr. Breen of your continued interest to cooperate
to the fullest possible extent .with.his organization and with the
motion picture industry generally. I have advised Mr. Breen of my
contemplated absence from the city ;for a short time, and suggested
that Special Agent Billings would be pleased to cooperate with him
during my absence, and urged, him to call upon the office in the. event
we could render any assistance to him.
I have explained to Mr. Billings the nature and extent of
cooperation that it is your desire be furnished to the motion picture
industry with respect to technical advice on "Special.Agent” pictures.
JEPDrAB
AIR MAIL
/ J. E.,P. DUNN
•pecial-Agent in Charge
% \ WESTERN VKION
VM1 lo
oct 1 0 j^i;
TDHE PORTWASHINGTON NY OCT 16 74 1A
J EDGAR HOOVER
DEPT OF INVESTIGATION WASHDC
»H ERE CAN I REACH MELVIN PERVIS FORMERLY OF YOUR DEPARTMENT
JOHN L KNIGHT.
813AM..
mcopoeD
OCT 18 1935
HI BI
Mr. Mclntire in summary memo re news iten written
by Doris Lockeraan in Chicago Tribune, 10-14-35, advises
that Agent who Mrs. Lockeraan alleges failed to identify
Dillinger in car in which Evelyn Frechette was driven,
is obviously Agent R.G.Gillespie, who is no*! in
a sanitarium; that' report states that Agents Gillespie
and R.D;Brown saw person in car and were of opinion that
it was not Dillinger; that reports do not sustain Mrs.
Lockeraan*s allegation that the same Agent,(Agt.
Gillespie) was found shivering behind a rock at Sauite
Ste Marie, Mich., as Agent Gillespie did not accompany
■ agents on raid to this place and there is nothing in
report to Indicate any of agents were in this' condition.
m - »
\j6hn EDGAR' HOOVER
director
KRM:CJ:EH
62-29777
♦ . ■ " •
JL ^5. Jfcjtttrfnroii of ^justice
J0Ja»!j«ujicn, JL <U. ^
October 14, 1935*
MEMORANDUM FOR THE'DIRECTOR.
Mr. Nitkd >—
Mr.
Mr. B»oeh»wrK^«.
CUef Citrk.A.|
Mr. Cltrt.——
Mr. Coffey
Mr. Edwerde ——-
Mr. Er*n. «»«*»•»—
Mr. Foxworth, ......
Mr. Cxrbo ...........
Mr. Je»epb ..
Mr. Keith............
Mr.Ltittr^__ ....
Mr. Quion...
, Mr. Schilder .....~..
tfess._
Reference is made to a special news item appearing in the C
Daily Tribune dated October *14, 1935, which was written by Doris Loci:
In said article Mrs. Lockerman alleges that on'the night on which Eve ljm r _
Frechette was apprehended she was observed to have been driven to the pla ce
of her arrest by an unknown individual; that the person ini charge of ihe""”"_
Agents at that point ordered a young Agent to "take a stroll around t h e
block® an^see what that fellow looks like®. She alleges that Mr. M. H.
Pur$snot among .those present at this time. j&gL^&ge nt . r gfe rr . ed _ to l s . ob . Y l o
R. '<& v6illespie. whcf is now on leave of absence. conTIK&rTna sanitarium.
\ This will advise you that the report of former Special Agent J. J.
Haters, dated at Chicago, Illinois April 18, 1934, in the Dillinger case, dis-
•closes that Evelyn Frechette was apprehended by Special Agents on the night
of April 9, 1934 at a saloon known as ®Tumble Inn®, also known as ®The Austin
Street Tavern®, located at the intersection of State and Austin Streets,
Chicago, Illinois. The report discloses that the following .persons were
present on said raids 1
P _
Wft'tnBon* AerAnt-. n (Thnv»orA M. B. Purvis'
Former Special Agent in Charge M. H. Purvis'
Former Special Agent J. J. Haters
» ® « J. J. Metcalfe
® ® ® L. D. Nichols
Special Agent R. G. Gillespie
® ® R. D. Brown
—- X3R02jf
19 JS34
Evelyn Frechette was taken into custody by Messrs. Purvis and Haters
and other Agents. Inquiry was then-made as to the manner in which Evelyn
Frechette had reached the saloon and it was reported that she had been brought
there in an automobile. Agent Gillespie and former Agent Metcalfe were then
requested to detain, if possible, the person who brought her to the saloon, but
they returned a few minutes later stating that this party had left. ®In con¬
nection with the person who brought Evelyn Frechette to the saloon. Agent R. D.
Brown stated that when he received the signal to enter the cafe, he passed 4
the automobile and observed’ a person in it and he is of the opinion that it
was not Dillinger. Agent Gillespie also saw the pers on in the car and is * of
the same opinion®. flfiT 9^1 yy \ ^
Former Agent Metcalfe /reported tnan he observed jfcv^Lyn £jiente, v -r | fin iqk
arrive near the saloon in a black coach.or sedan automobiley-“that the car was 0
driven by a man who remained at the wheel while she want into fQ£7tai,^nl935 P • M.
Former Agent Metcalfe, following some distance behind jthe Frechette woman,. / *
passed this car but did not have an opportunity to observe ttiS man in : 'theygir, 1,1
Memo for the Director
-2 -
10/14/35
due to the fact that the car stood beside a curb of unusual height so that it
would have been necessary to stoop very low, in order to look into the car
froa the sidewalk. Former Agent Metcalfe noted that the car was in its same
position when .he entered the tavern but was gone when he cane out of the tavern
after the. arrest of the Frechette woaan.
Agent Gillespie stated that' he also passed-this'car, nade a record
of the license number:(Illinois 1934 license No. 338-557), peered into
the car and .while »he was unable to observe >the nan in the car very clearly
in the dark he was satisfied that he was.not Dillinger. Uhen the Agents cane
out-of the tavern, after arresting the; Frechette woman, the said car was cone
and could not be located.
In this connection it is interesting to note that, as shown by the
report of Special Agent in Charge Hi H. Reinecke, dated at Chicago, Illinois,
April 20, 1934> Evelyn Frechette adaitted to Special Agent K. K. Deadrick that
Dillinger drove her up to within two or three ..car lengths of this drinking-
parlor and parked behind another car. It is my recollection that, although
the Agents did not positively identify Dillinger as being in the car that
brought . Evelyn Frechette to the said-tavern, they felt confident-that there
was a.strong possibility of the party being identical with Dillinger.
I recall that numerous comments were made by Agents of the Chicago-
office >to the effect that‘the raid* had been "bungled 1 * by "Mr. Purvis because he
had'not seen to it that the person-who brought Evelyn Frechette-to .the drinking
parlor was apprehended. I recall discussing this matter with Agent Gillespie
after Evelyn Frechette had been captured and while he was not definitely able
to state that the person at whom he looked in the • car was Dillinger, he felt
at .that time that the person should have .been taken, into custody .and that
arrangements should have been made by Mr. Purvis, who was in charge, of this:
raidi to have a sufficient number of Agents present to meet any. emergency of
this nature.
It is also my recollection that the Agents of the Chicagotoffice>
discussed this matter on several-occasions, , at which times they - stated’ that
proper arrangements should.have been made for the taking into custody of any-
person-who might have accompanied Evelyn Frechette at the time she was appre¬
hended.
r
Reference is now made to that part of the newspaper item of Doris
.Lockerman to the . effect that one of the Agents who assisted in raiding the
home of Mrs. ,Isaac Steve, a sister of John Hamilton, at Saulte Ste. Mario,
Michigan, was found.after the raid shivering!behind a rock and. that this Agent
Memo for the Director
- 2 -
10/14/35
Is Identical'with the one who failed to identify John.Dillinger on the night
that Evelyn Frechette was. captured; \further that this Agent is now fighting
for his life in a sanatoriuo. This will advise you that the reports in this
‘Batter do not substantiate the allegation.
The report of Special Agent in Charge V. W. Peterson, dated at
Chicago, Illinois, April 25, 1934 in the Dillinger case, discloses that those
Agents who proceeded to Saxiite Ste. Marie on April 19, 1934 were as follows:
• Special Agent in Charge H. H. Reinecke
Special Agent R. D; Brown
“ " J. H. Rice
H H M. C. Falkner
Former :Special Agent A. E. Lockerman.
There Is-nothing to show, that Agent R. G. Gillespie accompanied,
the aforementioned Agents, on this raid, nor is there anything in the reports
to indicate that any one of the-Agents on this rald was found in the condition
alleged by Doris Lockerman.
-- xmofr
JAN 19 1984
Hr. Dunn of to* Angola* *all*d *ad #UW4 that,
Harry Brand af tha Foi 20tb Canary Pictrar* Cpnpany, vailed Hr#
Dutaa this aornlag and inquirad ralatlw* to Hr. Purr!*# Hr#
Dima •adsavorad to aacartain tha raaaoa for tha Xataraat and
*a* infomtd that ahortljr a flln eoold Ha r*lan*ad antltlad
•8how Than Ho Harcy* which la anothar gaagaiar pictura. Tha
story was writ tan by a can tuuaod Bttfcuc Glaanon, and tha previaw
nas ahown tha attar night# It appear* thatBrand ha* tha idaa
that ha oooXd gat Purrin to allow tho uaa of hi* nan* for
publicity purpoeaa for tha fpynent of appronlnatoly f5#0QQ#
Hr. Dunn aantod to know if tha Director wanted
hin personally to *aa what he could do to quiat thia down# Mr#
Dana ia undar order* to laar# hem Angola* thi* eraalng for
HaahingtOa# I adrlaad hi* that tha Bureau would call hi» lathing
'bin know#
Rwapwctfuliy,
, ' > •» , i 1
T. D. Quin*.
4 ' ' '
* ^
CTiMC
Bovtmber 4, 1935*
Hr# Dunn at to* Angeles called at 3*30 p«m* today, concerning Hr. Tamm 1 *
Inquiry of him with regard to tha recent publicity to tbeeffect that
Hr* Purvis had been offarad a position to head a squad to afford protection
to aotlon picture actors la Dos Angolas#
Be stated that ha had been In communication with represents tires of tbs
JBsys organisation and others officials in the industry, who advised hiai
that they hare offarad HrMNcrvls nothing and that no on* is considering
any offer of this kind to hia. Dtmn stated that the issue of Vsrieiy
which appeared in Bollywood this morning contains an editorial criticising
the LARue story as an out and out publicity scheme, and that the editorial
points out that the notion picture Industry is closely cooperating with
federal, state, and local authorities and that the problsw of protection
for Members of the notion picture colony can be satisfactorily handled in
this Manner# Dunn stated that from the stories he has heard at Dos Angeles,
he is cenvincsd that LaRue could not raise any money whatever to pay for
anything of this kind# He stated that aoJEaxL** be is able to ascertain
Purvis has no connection with DaRue#u~ t A hoardlTW r hM Hr. Dunn, a Dos Angeles
paper is carrying a stery today mhich indicates that some Associated Press
corrsspondents contacted Purvis at Chicago on Saturday concerning the
story and that Purvis* reply was that he had had no details on the matter
and that he had heard of It only through the newspapers#
Hr* Dunn has been assured by the Rays o A gsnination that they will stop
any such silly Idem&anA that he way consider it., merely.* "publicity blurb*
on the part of LaRue and Samuel Goldwyn* j - t /) j r\ ^
\ (■ J ^ r \4 i l
th Dquls : Hayer sod David Belnlck
Hr. Dunn also advised that he has talked witl»I^uls : Hayer and David Selalck
concerning the threatening letters which have* be*h received from the sister
of Selnick*s mother, who is in Pittsburgh# He stated that they had given
him some letters and had promised to secure mare by Tuesday, after which Hr#
Dunn will write the Bureau in detail concerning the metterand it can then be
,*-v
f
for Director
- 2 -
01-4-35
f i • *
deterained what action can be taken in connection with contacting the
womb in IHitaburgh, Dunn advised that Hjrron Selniek, brother bf
David Btlniclc, is bead of a publicity, agency which if supposed to be
representing Purvis in Lok ingeles, and he feels that the cooperation
and assistance of the Bureau in connection with the threats to David
Selniek and his wife will place us in a very excellent position with
the tyron Selnick fir*/
Respectfully*
- V
Clyde Tolson.
Mr. Nathan.
Office of Director
FEOERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U* S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
November 5, 1935
Time: 12:
MEMORANDUM
t 0
RE: Melvin H. Purvis.
V, Baufhman
Chief Clerk_
Mr. Clegg.
Mr. .
Mr. Edward*..
Mr. Egan.
Mr. Foxworth..
Mr. liar bo .
1 Mr. Joaeph.
I -
Mr. Lester.
i Mr. Quinn_...
| Mr. Schilder....
( Mr. Taiain -.
Ki.Ttmjt.
M!ss Gandy.
In the course of a telephone conversation *“
with Mr. Whitley at New York, Mr. Whitley stated
that a reporter from the World Telegram had told
him that word had been received that Purvis was
coning to New York and the reporter had inquired
if Mr. Whitley could tell hia where Mr. Purvis
could be reached in Now York. Mr. Whitley stated
that he did not know and that Mr. Purvis did not
contact his office when in New York. I stated
that recently a newspaper story had appeared in¬
dicating that Purvis had been chosen to head a
detective agency in Hollywood to protect the
movie stars; that in a press interview in Chicago
Purvis had stated that he was "considering" the
offer and that he was about to leave for New York
on private business; that Mr. Dunn had informed
me that there was nothing to the story and that
it was merely a publicity stunt as the second in¬
stalment of the articles in the Red Book was about
tobe^ftSased. l -- —*—~ <
FLDlRA!
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
'BAT:COT
Time - 12:15 P.
Jpeforal ^Bureau of ^Snfasttgafum
%l. Pejjarhntttt of
JERaaljnrgttin, p. <£.
November 3, 1935•
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
Re: Melvin.Purvis.
Mr. N»th«
Mr. ,T<^oo *
. ’
Mr.
CW«f CUrk
Mr. CU« 1
Mr. Coffey. *■**«<**»•« 4
.Mr.Edvrmrd*
}/[r,’ Ef<A«'Mt<t< ««•*<* ’
Mr. Foiwortji * ».m* j
) Mr. Cirf*> ->*’*•> ***•*» .1
' Mr. J**rp5>
Mr. Ksith .*.#•** ,
I ■>
I Mr. Letter
*•*?» ntt*»*
. Mr.£*J’.4*r....«^.'|
^ Mr. t*w» I
1 1 Mftjjwy *
CflL3?,dyrfJr*o
I *•**»«
I telephoned Special Agent in Charge J. E. P. Dunn and ihfornedJ)i&.~
that the newspapers here in Washington last night and this nomingtare -carr yingr
a big article about Melvin Purvis being offered a position to organize a private
agency for the purpose of protecting the aovie stars-froa extortionists. I
asked Mr. Dunn if he had heard anything about this.
He said that last night about ten o'clock, one of his friends there
in Los Angeles called this to his attention, informing that this story appears
in one of the papers out there. However, the article which was called to Mr.
Dunn's attention quotes Jack LaRue, one of the actors out there, in saying that
Purvis had been offered this position. Mr. Dunn-said that LsRue is nothing
aore than a publicity seeker; that a short tine ago he started a story about
soae kind of a kidnaping or extortion threat, which was used as a basis to get
a little publicity through the district attorney's office out there. The,Bureau,
according to Mr. Dunn,, was advised by telegraa of this situation at the tine it
occurred. With reference to the instant natter, Mr. Dunn said he is satisfied
it is nothing but "a big piece of hooey" thought up by Jack LaRue for the purpose
ofpiblicity, and is aore crless of a follow-up to the prior publicity gotten by
LaRue.
I inquired of Mr. .Dunn if he knew whether or not Purvis had been con¬
tacted relative to this proposition. He said that while he does not know for
sure,, he is reasonably sure that Purvis has not been contacted. I ‘then asked
if he had any sources through which r he could check this definitely. He said
that he believed he could.-have it checked, and could advise the Bureau in the
preaises by noon tomorrow,, their tiae. Mr. Dunn added'that during the course
of business yesterday, he was in touch with quite a number of the various officials
of the industry out there, none of' whoa mentioned anything about the instant
situation. ^
Mr. Dunn said that he would check up on this the very fi~fstJthifj£
in the morning, and would advise the Bureau just as soon as possible™
• •
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U. S. Department of Justice
Melvin Purvis now in
THE FAMILY CIRCLE
st.
(enclosing copy of the FAMILY CIRCLE magazine November 8, 1935)
Original in 80-84
November 11, 1935 .
Time
5:00 P, M.
MBMOftANDCM FOR THE DIRECTOR
I telephoned Mr. Connelley and told him you wanted him to
know very confidentially that you have very positive and reliable
information that Special Agents John L. Madala and M. J. Cassidy are
tied up and are very friendly with Melvin Purvis:'that, therefore
1;Lttl ® afraid of having"'them working^on the Bruner Case
witn that connection. With this in mind, I told Mr. Connelley it
des ^ re that he take steps at once to work them off the
Bremer Case just as soon as possible, confidentially advising the
ureau when both of them have severed their connections with the case
so that they might be transferred.
at this fimL* ?h n + e i l€ T Said that Cassidy is entirely off the case
certain work’iwJ ® JUS J ? e ? n USed occasionally to supplement
* matter * Madal& wil1 be cut loose frdm th e case
s - oon as possible, and the Bureau advised accordingly.
^spectfully.
Mr. Louis W* Oold,
6107 Berth Brood Street*
Philadelphia* Pennsylvania*
i
Boar 8ir|-
X deslra to aoknowledga the reeelpt of your postal
sard postaarked at Philadelphia on Movoaber 29th raquastiag
inform tlon as to tha prese n t address of Mr* Melvin Parris*
Xn this respect* kindly he advised that Mr* Purvis has not
furnished this Bureau vith ids east reoeat address and X aa*
\
therefore^ unable to eoaply with your request*
Vary truly yours*
Ida Uf» Hoover*
Direetor.
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FEDERAL EP REAB O F IH VB8TIQ ATIDi
V* 8* J^AJWBHBEf DF JIUIICI
lmUSfOI| B» C»
1 Vrtmtom 4, 1935*
MEMOR AEfAiV DOR THE DXRKJTOR.
Hhil* at the OnahaBoreen office on October 13, 1935# f
Special Afoot 1« Charge Dowd informed me that bo had recently written
tbo Director es kt'a g for' on increase in salary tool that bo hod received
« reply ehleh in off cot stated that duo to the foot the* the Caaba
office* waa rathe snail, an increase .1 b salary was not warranted at
:*he present tin*. Mr. Dewdobaerwed that It boa the first tiro la
bio many jow «f oorrico that bo boo ookod for on jLacroooo la ealaryj
tb»t bo dll oo aftgpt considerable deliberation «ad aftor haring noted
that Special Agent la Charge fetWll mi increased to iSAOOefeile la
obargo of tbo Dolt Lake Oltjr Office, ant that Special Agent la Charge
Hanoi waa drawing 15400 while bo was la ehasge of tbo Dasha Office. Ro
farther obeerred that tbo Aberdeen office, ana under Mr. Banal, cer¬
tainly i» not an large an the Qaaha office aad that there are other
office* whose territory la act aa -large.la ablob the Spec lei Agent la
^barge Id d*0wiag a larger salary than be, Mr. Dcnedl. -
Xt ooa ay lnproawioa that Hr* Dowd felt be sight ha-reheen
overlooked la oonaeotloa with iaereaae# aad condensation to Special >
Agent* In.Charge, end that the enamor of the Doreen to, hie request nae
-la foot, apt answer* . , s
Dorlac the oewreeraatioa, Mr, Dowd aade rather disparaging
Moaorka osnoamlwg Mr/'JJ^U aad hie resignation from the. Bureau. He
eae particularly laeeaeed at the tine at the .aerie* of artielee written
bjr MTs* Dirle Lookernaa, fomarly of the Chicago office, nod abated
that la bia opinion there abet .bn a definite connection between Mre,
Loekemam aad Hr* Purrie* Ha abided that an eoneldered Hr* Purrle
a mamba t of a fool'.and thrtvWwei certainly feXZoidng la the footstep*
of foxmar employees, among wbon be named Mr. Darling, Cullen, aad
former Inspector Coreeraa, all of whom la Mr* Dowd's opinion turned out
to be anenles of the Bureau.
Z hare been Impressed by hr. Dowd on numerous occasions, both
by working trader bis direction In Halt Lobe City and at subsequent tinea
that I hare talked with bla, with hie loyalty to the Bureau and the
Director* Vblle be 1# nndonhtedly aetienlea# and inclined to bo cxelt-
able, aad at tlaoe doe# adt us* the boat of judgment, I feel that he has ^
h- / 1/7
t
Mauo for Director.
H/4/35 ^ -2 —
the interest of the jBwroau «t heart »t all Wff cad it Is recomended
that further eoasldaratioa ho give* to the possibility of taereasing
Kr« Dowd** eowpaas&tiea la eonaideratioa <f his tweaty-aae years of
service*
' Spou lQtfltlrUg of hr* Dowd as to how ho liked the Oaaha
territory, he stated that ho lme satisfied wherefer the horeea sou
fit to send hiaf that, howtver, Krt* Dowd suffered from hay f€>T«r sad
fond iho manor ellwste la Oaiha, fsfcr&sks to ho unbearable sad that
meat sumer ho would ho formed to send her to * 0*0 other part of th
oouatry* 1 inquired as to shat hr. Dowd 1 # office of proforeoee wee
aad was iaforwed that he would like to he ussigasd to the Bestow office
luasuuoh as hisfceae le la lew Xfcflaad*
ReepeotfuUy,
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Post Office Box 312
Chicago, Illinois
November 15th, 1935
Perso nal and
"CuullUmU-Hl
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United -States Department of Justice
Pennsylvania Ave. at 9th St,, w .W.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir*
*or your information I desire to advise that a letter was
received at this office, addressed to Mr. Melvin Purvis, with a return
address as follows* "Hugh 1. Garber, 419 Morth Broadway, Madison,
Indiana", which letter was postmarked^Madison, Indiana, November .11th,
1935. this letter was forwarded to Purvis.-
It will be recalled that Mr. Garber was formerly an Agent in
this Bureau and I believe you are familiar with his activities.
Subsequent to the transmittal of the above letter I had ob¬
tained Information indicating that Mr. Garber had written to Mr* Purvis
making application for a position with Mm in the event he organised an
' investigative force as the newspapers have indicated he had plans of
doing. This undoubtedly refers to the newspaper stories concerning a
police protection Force to be organised In Hollywood, .California. It is
also my understanding that ^r. Garber is presently employed with the
Madison, Indiana Courier newspaper.
Sincerely yours,
D. M. LADD.
f/ r f.* '>
j f 1 V
TDQsMAM
r Deeosber 12, 1935
i-.
Mr* Bart MacBrid*,
Auoolat* Editor#
0—opolltea,
*«rit Macula* Buildlmf,
57th Strut st Bih JLrmtm,
Mo* terk. City*
Dost Btri
In reply to your ntm wile*ties of Deoesber 9* 1935# re¬
questing t* b* edrleed Of the jurenat address of Mr# Melvin Psrfto#
> . , ,
I regret to isfon you that so art aotia poeseeeion of Mr* farris*
lstoot address#
Te*y truly yours,
* * -v *>
John Edgar Hoover,
Director*
HOMMUNlCATiONS SECT* 0 N~
MAU.B 6
DEC 16 1935
P- (VI-
I fWHAi ■->(• fNYI-t31 if.-AT d\j
r wiHt"r 'i> jusi (>
/
BM:EL Associate Editor
cUr' & ■
IiCSiAMP.
Decent mr U# 1935*
to*. D. IU ladtf,
£«4«nl Bureau *f XnrecUftfttiau,
*• $• Vmmriamt of Juetiee.
Feat Office Bo* 4812*
e ^»«o, HUaoda.
i
Dear Mr* Xaddt
* JUTS *!* * *• ***“» of the facrt thut
cm « the » Fifteenth Annuel Banquet of the
JSff? SSy *** miw laaocUUeu,
**"■*•* l93? a beeauee of the feet that femur
w< te occupy a
peeltloo at the ^eakwr^BIe there.
. i i
* >
” *jj yjPg» to* ds *wtatoi that It la ay dealre that
yottehj^d hat avoid •tUoOamo or participation In any *
«athlntt|» aarely heeauee aay femur Bureau official ur
yg*? ft.*** **—»*« *» «* j&L repreeeutaUm of
^triet eancertainly fomer
sssn^iSi* *■* Mtt * *• rn « i » *?*
in *-**•> therefore, that you participate freely
iajjf future eeeute of this eort, regardleee of the at-
4ssKto.ee ar MMtteodaaoe of fomer Bureau reprueeatativee,
GinoereXy yam*
FMt om«# an ttt
Chiaage, xiliaole
P«w«tl aad lo wrt i r SCth, 1986
TTiiirn—nrr
-■iwii i nliiiii h. Mil I, ,!iBat
&&XO«tcr
»*l»l Bmu of Iwwoetifotico
ItaltaC gtataa ttfvtwt of IwUm
P«MH«M ta i«»* at 616 St., B. I.
p» c.
Star sir*
Z iaailt ta atriaa Uat Km. <S«MVlm Bellla today latermd aa that
'<6* had IkikI ttat Mn. 9»t» Bogota T(itii— arm aae» to feeTe a*
artMAa la tha Ctl aag a Trltm e, tK«l« a mrt m to Bar lafoxmat,
»«l* "War «n>r«ltic «».» Mm. BaUla m aakad whet aha mat If
■Wra emaythiag Mt* aaA Jaet wheteeold ha la thia arttala. she
atatat Bat the oaly thtag aha Mt hoard «Mtl M8A ha laoladad la
aaoh aa arttaia voald ha Mftmtfca - ceerirwdaa aaaa worn* la-chftaagr
Wa had, after tha last e&aattaa, haaa waad bf^Mr. jmwiiElaid Hr.
HaseaAx far tha perpoee of wrltdag lattam to^S^amimraad saaatora.
Kra. Bailie aaa aat eble to farad* tha aam of thia wan or aay
farther lwfaneatlo* that thaaa alleged lattara hot atatad that tha
UfocmtSaa aa aha had ehtatmd it ladleated that Parade aad Kaseala
had praadaad to pay this veaam far haviag written thaaa lattara aad
that thia »am had apyamatly tot aa yat reoelmd papmat therefor.
Mtaa Belaa Paakal, Chief ciei* la thia Office, lafinaad m that Mrs*
Ballla* lafamaat was fenmr Speoial igeat B. P. seahlaa, aha la
friaadly ta Mre. Hollle. aha further ateted that Seealea had tafmaad
Kra* 'Ballla that -Kra. lacftaxaaa had art written thia artiala
la atm af tha ah a s a aa free chioogo of bar haehaad, facanr special
Agmt 1. x. Loelcemaa, aad that aha daalrad to aaaartala fm him
whether ho would here aay ob Jest ion* to bar wrltiag eaah aa artiele
aad Hr. Loekacma la allagad to haaa laformd her that tha oaly
*with her other artlo2.es - wee that they wars aotstraeg sacra*.
Kra. leehwrma le oleo eeppoeed to ham e toted that the m roe tor
aalatalae a black Hat ef individuals with whoa the employees of
JMiraao ara aat to ham may aoataot end that laelwdad ea this Mack
list BN ffVPOMd toto tkB Mm of ft>rm*r spwUI ignt 1 a Chare*
?o* BqllM, AftKfc LMtetu '«apt Mr*. iMhmiu*
2 irm *ndMW>r to ofrlala forth** iaformatlom eeaMnlac thl* m*tt«r
«A wlU M iwr or to *»*y th* Uma fally *drt**4 BBaomlai thl*
*nbj«ot mtt*r.
T*rjr troly y*or*.
WL:Z»
X>. M. XAJOD
8p**t*X i*m% la chars*
Office of Director
FEDERAL BUREAU OF,INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
December 12, 1935.
Mr. Quinn:
Mr. Hoover states he does not feel
we should ever make a statement as appearing
in the last paragraph, and suggests a statement
along the following lines:
"In reply to your communica¬
tion of December 9, 1935, requesting
to be advisee^f the present address
of Mr. Melvin Purvis, X regret to
inform you that we are not in posses¬
sion of Mr. Purvis'latest address."
Novarabor 20, 1999*
<'Cf
Mr. Gustave A* maos,
2405 Seeoad Avenue,
Mew York, Sew York*
Deer sirs
* ' V
«
Receipt le acknowledged of toot oonwualoatloe
dated Somber 19, 1926, to vhloh fern, attacked e letter
addreaeed to Ur. Melvin H. Purrla, An requested by yoCj
Ur. Rurala* correct address has bees Inserted an the
above neat toned letter and sane forwarded to hie*
fhe postage steeps which joe enclosed with your
letter are being returned herewith.
Ye *j truly yours.
a’* jSdg&r
Jobs Idga r Hoover,
Director.
Enclosure #869528
r COMMUNI0ATI0NS SECTIO?
MAILED
I NOV 2 0 1935
P M.
j H-.OFRAl OF ON,
i U .S DH’lvrwl'NT 'Ip )I'S> Ct
2405 Second Avenue,
New York, N. Y.,
Nov, 19, 1935.
Bureau of Investigation,
Dept, of Justice,
Washington, D. C.
To whom it may concern;
Would you be so kind as to for-
ard the enclosed letter to Mr, Melvin
*
Purvis, formerly with the Chicago Office.
Thanking you in advance.
Obligingly yours.
I have noted recently in various talks given "by me in all sections
of the country that, ,in-the open forum discussions which I hold, the audience
.practically always makes .some "inquiry concerning forcer SAC 'M. it. Purvis.
Upon every occasion, I answer inquiries by informing them that it is
ay personal understanding that die is atteapting to enter the aovies and has
published a series of articles dealing with the Bureau’s work.
• l | ,
Upon Inquiry which invariably .follows these statements, I point out
that -Inspector Samuel Cowley was actually responsible for and in charge of .most
of the investigations on which foimer SAC Purvis is "trading”.
I also tactfully inform : the audiences during the open forum discussion
that you and other officials of the JBuread, including myself, have turned down
several lucrative offers to do such work because we feel it would be unethical
and I also point out -the large sums of money which you have refused in this
connection, -totaling many times your annual salary.
1 have observed -that, without exception, the audience's reaction to
Purvis’ actions in this connection is one of disgust and, in many instances,
Individual members of ‘the audience give vent .to such opinions.
Respectfully,
/
vmC:WHA L
67-7489-447
Pot—fcoy tt, 1936*
Mitt Utldrod Motet,
Control Dollrorjr,
Ooator Stadviob, Htw Hinpiltil*,
D*or Mtat
X* itfly to ywur in—■ loot Ion dotod
Piwrti r It, HSf, it tllA you «ulo«4 » lottor
eddrosood to fotnor Agont Purrl*, yoo o*o odvlood
tut Mt. Pwrlt* trotont rititN lo vmkwm to thi*
•uroflnw
♦ ;
14 Ytor tMlotoro ii thoroforo bo leg ro-
twraod to to* horoorlth*
Tory tn&y pin.
XUa lifor Hootojr,
Dirootwr.
'■y¥7
itNT Cf JUSTICE
.Director
_Mr. Nathan
_Mr. Tolson
_Mr. Edwards
_Mr. Clegg
_Mr ( . Tamm
_Mr./Baughman
.Miss Gandy ^
_Mr. Renngjt»rger
.Mr^jOoffey
jCliief Clerk
_Mr. Donegan
_Mr. Douglas
_Mr. L. H. Richmond
_Mr. Joseph
_Mr. Swenson
_Mr. Tracy
.Personnel Files
Files
See Me
Send File
3877A
•6638A
0722A
0747A
1726A
2812A
5866A
J6540A
s8011 A
8036A
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’4396A
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24900A'
15261A
55288A
15348A
26108JT
26424A
27062A
’7420A
’7853A
17958k
28718A-
LU6^131A L11652876A L11672410A-
L11®)68A LI 1653012A L11873075*,
LI 1635367A L11653325A 1.11673644A
L11635733A L11653584A L11673738A
V L11636194A L11653820A L11673857A
LI 1636'3'2‘8'A r653857A LI 1674209A
L11636334A L11654206A L11674277A
L11636363A L11654319A L11674480A
’Lir63664"iA' L11654918A L11675060A
L11636709A L11654984A LH675252A
L11636834A L11655220A ' L1I675603A
L11636947A LU655541A L11676798A
LI 1637005A L11655784A L11678023A
L11637740A Li 1655939A L11678497A
L11637795A LI 1655944A L11680733A
LI 1638861A L11659277A L11<584047A
LI 1640624A L11659834A L11684104A
L11640699A LU660613A L11684208A
LU640719A L11660854A L11684318A
L11640903A L11660973A L11684842A
LI 1641986A L11661136A L11686018A
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L11641952A L11662176A L11688665A
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LI 1643041A L11662653A LU689138A
L11643100A L11663260A L11689266A
' L11643610A LI 1663273A Lil689270A
L11645566A L11663603A L11689596A
'TIX646645A LlT663652A~~"Cn689655A
L11646870A L11663657A L11689670A
l»1164746rA" L11666312A L11689989A
LI 1648388A L11666432A L11689991A
"“EII648393A LlT6668I6A""Xir690354A
L11648540A L11667295A L11690403A
~L1I648630A L11667533A L11690664A
L11648957A L11667639A L11690744A
"LI1649127A ClI668I41A~ L11690965A
L11649948A L11668431A L11691268A
LU650141A L11668509A L11692109A
WRG:WHA
7
> <r
*■ >
Deoeaiber 83 , 1994*
Mm noma* M* 8edor»
e/o Cn—unity Oheete ft Coeaeile, lac.,
1M lut 44th Street i
Mew Teric, pee Tork*
Deer Medeat
,* * ‘ -<■
la reply to your eoMaaaleettoa dated Decoaher 1**
1454* reletlre to Mr. Mel*l» furtrle, 1 regret to edrlee you
that Mr* Panic* precast eddreee le uakaoea to thle Bureau*
Tory truly youre,
. AdE-TtT nn^var
Job* Sdger Scorer,
Dtreetor.
I
OlM
|
i
_ XflRO*
JAN 19 1984
OFFICIAL INDICATED BELOW BY CHECK MARK
Mr. Nathan
(
)
Mr. Tolson
_ (
)
Mr. Clegg
- (
)
Miss Beahm
(
)
Mr. Coffey
„ . <
)
Mr. Donegan .. ... ..
(
)
Mr. Edwards
_’(
>
Mr. Egan
‘ (
)
* Miss Gandy
-(
)
Mr. Glavin
_ (
)
Mr. Joseph
. (
)
Mr. Keith
* (
)
Mrs. Kelley
(
)
Mr. Kleinkauf
Mr. Lester
(
... (
)
>
Mr. Quinrt
. V
Mr. Schilder _
_ (
)
Mr. Tamo .
__ (
)
Mr. Tracy
(
)■
Miss White
(
)
Files Section
. (
>
Personnel Files
_ (
)
For Your Information _
_ (
1
Note and Return
File _
( )
( )
Remarks:
His address is unknown.
Mr. Natha^,
Mr. ToUon_
Mr. Baugbmaa
CMe* Clerk
Mr. Clegg.
Mr. Coffey
Mr. Edward*
Mr, Egan.
Mr. Eoxworth.
Mr. liar bo_
Mr. Joseph
Mr. Keith—
Mr. Lester.
Mr- Quinn.
Mr. Seiulder.
Mr-Tamm.
Mr. Tracy.....
Mias Candy..
Community Chests & Councils, tSEV
•ft * v
MUkkay Him. 6-292}
President
jtimman J. wist* rook Hartford. Conn.
Honorary Preside*it f
niwton p. iaiik Cleveland. Ohio
Vice-Presidents
Joax stiwait »iya» Richmond, V*.
ctoaox A vin«nt Greenwich, Conn.
Treasurer
bin don car** The Oranges, N« j«
Secretary
155. EAST 44xa STREET . NEW YORK, ;N. Y.
Stag
Amin T. Br*N* Esecutive Vice-President
- Rai»b Biancbaw Administrative Director
Bkaddiy Brtu. fieW Director ■
mcsvAX. none*
Detroit, Mich.
*. x. ion
C. X. IOOKVAH
KINKY <5. *OWDIN
AU 4 TON iru
mint cask
MIS. IXINI r. CONKAD
*. O. CO*WIN
- c. nun none*
Dirertof*
Beverly HOI*. Calif.
Obncinnald, Ohio
Fort Worth, Texas
Boston. Mass.
New York. N. Y.
n*a» Santa Fe, N. M.
.Dayton, Ohio
Washington, D. C.
ilrt FLOOR, . COMMERCE BUILDING
kowako r. taxi Vancouver, B. C., Canada
A*Tar* a. criuo
IKANK M.HAIDT
MAS. T. P. BIWITX
savin c. ucoitt
* 0 * HX r. MAO DO X
WIW* T. MAXWKLt
BAlly MONSXY .
CZOKCI W. MOKOAN
KDWAKD l. KYKKSONV.J*.
*XID*1IC W. SMITK
KAY W. SMITH &
XMIA «. STICK*
run stub in son
'KINKITH fTCKCZS
BAXIY I, WAXZBAK
Richmond. Virginia'
Philadelphia, Fa.
Greenwich, Conn.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Atlanta, Ga.
Pittsburgh, Fa.
Omaha, Nebraska
St. Paul, Minn,
t. .Chicago, XU.
Newark, N. J.
San Francisco, Calif.
St. Lows, Missouri
• Springfield. Mass.
Cleveland, Ohio
Rochester, N. Y.
December 12, 1935
DEC 2 7
Department* of Justice
Washington, D. C.
fficoaoer
?93S (k?.
- yw
Gentlemen:
.natter.
DEC 26 1935
We should greatly appreciate
ls^.<
U ?.fc
late your■ helnf -on-the 'following'
We understand that when MelvinTPurvis, Troll-known G-MaL
retired from the Department of Justice he appeared ‘in a newsreel in-which
ho declared forcefully that the only possible solution to our crine pro¬
blems was adequate character training.
It has been suggested that If we could secure such a
definite statement from him, it would be helpful to many oossaunity chests
throughout the country -in securing funds for the youth agenoies and
character building organizations which they finance. ..Can-you assist us
-in getting in touch with Mr. -Purvis? ; J" ’,
Even more useful,, perhaps, in a general way-would be any ‘ ■
.recently published statements of a similar nature to which you could | if
refer us,, preferably by persons who have a high official position in t&a | v
field of crime prevention and punishment. tf}‘ j
As we represent more ; than four hundred of the larger cities
throughout the United States, any material of this kind -is likely to be
widely used. ^ S
MSsP t Jr <s fry
Gratefully yours,.. ^ fSA
Florence ,M. Sedey \ ! ,
FT*
f
i,
► j
V/RG j, r
January 3, 1956.
Mr, lM Brow,
1615 Mast Charlea Street,
Mnoli, Indiana.
Beer Sin
In reply in your ©omamieetloa 4atad
Decanber 16, 1936, relative to Mr. Mftlrln Buraia,
yon nr# advised that a, aurray of the raaorda of
thin Bureau falla to reveal a forwarding addmaa
far Mr* Burria*
* ’
Tory truly yeure,
John Xdgar Hoover,
Dimeter.
i
.federaubureau of INVESTXGA
*1
Boon 5744
ft '
_1935.
f
To: ^ Director
Mr. B»ntott«w
_Mr, Nathan
CMef Clerk «*»• »«"*»’»
_Mr. Clegg
Mr. Geffc .mn t*w.i
_Mr. Taco
Mr. Coffey ,«»»»»••»■
_Mr. Edwards
Mr. Edward*
_Mr. Egan
Mr. »*■•■***•
Mr. Quinn
y<wnwith ■
Mr. Glavin
Mr. XUxbo —••«««
_Mr. Douglas
Mr. Joarph
Mr. Keith--
_.Miss Gandy
Mr. Lt*trr--—
_ Mr. Tracy
__Mr. Renneborger
Mr.-SchUder—.
_Mr, Joseph
Mr. T«uw»
Personnel Files Sec
t(ilO I)lMf__ ......
Files Section
nn» Sn(»i
_Miss Sheaffer
Soo Mo For Appropriate Action
Send File Note and Return
*■
--
Clyde Tolson
4
>* '*
* *
^P&tstan rtf <3Jit£rcsftgdum
|tt. ^3. jBtpxtittutd of 2fu*li«
Post Office Box #812
Chicago,Illinois
/
Personal and
■llmiiideftiiar"
January 3rd, 1936
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
Pennsylvania Ave* at 9th St*, N. V*
Washington, D* 0.
Mr. K*&*a
Mr. T»Uw..v..
Mr. Bwjtoun.M...
Chief Clerk..........
Mr. ...... ......
Mr. CoSey...........
Mr. Kdw*r4a
Mr. Erttt..u...*MM.
Mr.' Foxwerth.......
Mr. H*rbo
Mr.' J#«e?h___ ....
Keith
Mr. Letter,
Mr. Qtbj).
Mr. SeMider.
Mr. Tku ...
Mr. Trtey «»«■
!>Qm Canady,.
Dear Sir:
For your information, I desire to advise that Chief of Police william
0* Freeman at Evanston, Illinois, today informed special^gent T* F.
Mullen of this Office that he had learned from Mr* M. H* Purvis that
he ezpeoted to go to San Francisco, California, shortly after the
first of this year to accept employment with a large steamship company
in that town, this steamship company having had trouble with Commu¬
nists and strikes, and that Mr* Purvis was reported to be going to
accept appointment as head of an investigative force for this company.
Mr. Freeman was not able to advise the name of the steamship line.
For your further information, I desire to quote the following telegram
which was received at this Office on January 3rd, 1936, from H* P.
Burton, Editor of the Cosmopolitan Magazine:
"SHOULD APPRECIATE GREATLY YOUR WIRING ME
COLLECT THERE I CAN TELEPHONE MELVIN PURVIS
OR IF YOU CAN REACH HIM AND ASK HIM TO CALL
ME REVERSING CHARGES I SHALL BE MUCH INDEBTED
TO YOU"
Mr* Burton was advised by letter that inquiries concerning the present
whereabouts of Mr. Purvis should be directed to the Bureau in Washing-
w ’ f) -
7 *.v„ Very truly yours).
JAN 7 133S
DML:IJM
I'i.H,
Special Agent in'Charge-
AIR MAIL - SPECIAL DELIVERY
i * •
y/y
January 8, 1936*
Hr. Alan B. flalkold,
94 Xaat Philadelphia Stroat,
Indiana, PennaylTaaia.
Daar Sir*
In r*ply to your a a—anlnation datod
January 4, 1W4, rolatiyo to Hr* Nolrln Buraia,
yon aro adviaod that a aarroy of the raaorda of
tkia Bureau fall# to rrroal a foraardinf addroaa
for Mr, Purrla.
Tory truly your#,
John ldf#r Booror,
Biro# tor*
f ioMMUNiOADONS SECTION 1
Mailed
*
:
f#N-9i::3
■#*> M
| 'injrtAf
JPiiKEAll or INvrsrifiArON,
t <»
L. i^u^.
TV 't '(l*FN7 OF !iiSI cf
Dssr Hr. AmOIi-
Itsplyl&g to your lsttsr of Iihruwy 3*
1936* plssss N sdrisod that Hr* ft* H. Purris rssigasd frost
this tarsfcu cm August 5, 1939*
fsry truly yours*
#4gax Hoover
John Sdgsr Hoorsr*
Dirsotor.
/v v
<%■
„ 1 ^
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTI(»ON
S a
Room 5744.
1936,
_Mr. Clegg
_Mr. Tamm I :.r. -
.Mr. Edwards j * -- - —
Mr. Egan j ^ •“ -
_Mr. Quinn j x ■- *
Mr. Glavin ^
See Me
Mr. Douglas i ~ *
_Miss Gandy . j
_Mr. Tracy f^Ll"I
_Mr. Renneberggr^ " f
_Mr. Joseph [
.Personnel FSLjftSigftstion^ |
.Files Sectioru.-: j
_Conmunicationsȣ act-ion._|
.Miss Shoaffe>r_j
to I
For Appropriate Action
Send Pile Note and Return
Clyde Tolson
Office of Director
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COPY
SIDNEY KINGSLEY
170 East 78 Street
Mr. E. Hoover
Department of Justice
Washington D C
Dear Sir:
I aa seeking information about a
statement made by Melvin Pervls when
he resigned from the Dept.
Could you furnish me with the
date of his resignation?
Cordially
J Small
Sec. to Mr. Kingsley
| Mr. Nathan _
Sidney Kingsley
170 East 78t» Street
Mr. T'i
Mr. lie
Chief <
• B&u^ mi t fl -
tf.C.
J ^<ZUsCS^L^ySoctL^
> 7 C<W^'
e-u. &
i Mr. Clegg-
‘ Mr. Coffey....
Mr. n^wird*.
•'oxworth.
?oL<. d-ajU ^ *^C(P
~2>V~Ot^
V
FEB 111936
Opbx-<Zst£, y
•*y%/?c ~£ _-w
~ } (c\~
1936 j '
/ - ;4-^
J^t4 19 1SEA
*' ITarbo _—.
Mr. Joseph —— ..,
!l ' llr. Keith_....
“ Mr. Lester_
. Mr. Qalaa..
j Kr.SchSfier_
[ Kr. Tamm_
Mr. Tracy.
r 221 && CI atiAj _
Offiss Box 81*
Ohiosge Illinois
5
Pabruary g, 193ft
Bi motor
JMderal Bureau of Investigation
8. &eparts*nt of jostles
P«noylf«*U Avenue at 9th Street, K.W.
Washington, 0 . Q«
Door Sim
This sill eonfir* *r tolophon is eonvereetion with to*
f* th * **•»« « f^MfWMTT 4, 1936, concerning the is-
f®***** 4 2!T* *•** Dlap **°* th8t * «roop of federal Agents,
howvi ly «nMi l loft chloofo by airplane on tho afternoon of peb-
***** 4, 1936, for tho purpose of prooeodlng to the State of north
pwolino to apprahead Alvin Xarpis. i hero to advise that I in¬
structed Special Agent R. C. Snrun to mho discreet inquiries eon-
eernlng this natter for tho purpose of detemlnlng whothor offiosrs
of sons other low enforcement egeney tea in foot proceeded to north
Csrolins for the purpose shows ladtested.
Agent R. C. Suras interviewed Miss iJeekwr, of the
Bluebird Air Linos st Chisago, Illinois. mss Booker stated that
to her knowledge only one chartered airplane left the Chioego Air¬
port on fWfcruary 4, 1986, and that this plane was chartered by
Kolrin H. Purris for the purpose of flying to his hens at Tlanons-
tills, South Carolina, where his fethsr is seriously ill* Kiss
Hasker stated that ths of f totals of the TWA Air Lins n n—mil ns 1 1 il
with her by telephone on the nernlng of febreary 4, 1936, and in¬
quired whether the Bluebird Air lines would be Interested in ehsr-
tering a ship for the purpose of taking Mr. Purris to South Carolina
It haing indie st ed by the official of the TWA Line that it was doubt¬
ful Aether the .o ew a or olal lines would Mike the trip to Washington,
®* c * ♦hie date, the planes sulking ooonsetions at Washington, d.c,
for the State of south Carolina. Bias Stoker adwised that it was
agrsed that the Bluebird Air Lines would shorter the ship to to.
Purris, and that to, Purria laft Ctioago, Illinois shout 1 p.w. on
that dote with Pilot Jos Bailey.
FEB 111336,
\
**»■ Baokar aoaanaieatod hy talaphena aith tha ©tbar oom*
p*al«« it tho ofelaago Airport, who hava alrplaano to ehartor, and
•ho oat advised that bo other ohartarad planaa loft tha Chisago Air¬
port aa tha data ladloatod.
Ww Baokar ladloatod to Spatial Agaat Suran that aha know
that Mr* Pvrrla, through tha TWA off total, had aada inquirlaa of
thoir othor alrylaaaa in an off ojpt to ohartar a plana fox hi a pro¬
pound trip to South Caxoliaa*
Tory truly youra.
0* W. LADD
HOSiXK Spatial Agent la Chargo
7 - 8 *
BCHiMVO
(c /
7 (-+
<r „
* I'
f*mmrw M $ If^
to*. fwd Milly
iJFJS fttotii tot—It,
M««i OUUummm*
to— Hr. —tftto /
" I —gp&—
toto# toft——? SfJi# ritfc 3r<M
• —■ to atari# ti—rllawi— ——toj t— m
to— f— 1 — % to* Salvia ton—a*
Mir ywar iaTavKtUn,. — # tow— — aai ——
• MMMtod ytih tha to—raX —m #r X&mMftia&tl—i a—.
M * a—r — —» S— art — aa—— — St ■•
•to— • to|» 'tool*- '■•—a—«——i#» t to— — a — toil —
— to* tow— —h — aaarau
<T» Edgar Jioover
CC —C OKUmiUL CXTI
DQMMJNIMTIGNS SECTION
Ft A | .t R O
hEB 2.j^:s
f> H-
fftlWAl. «V 11 •>' 'it '" /|<'F f,l (;'!,
11 s f'Ef ah r«tf,' dt fy^i or
Have someone prepare a letter; for .the DirectoW^gmture to this
nan 'informing himthat Mr. Purvis is no longer
Bureau and as a matter of fact hasn»t been connected with it sinccr
last July and consequently the Director has no control over what
does or what he says. 'V
' *
COPY
J. Edgar Hoover,
Washington, D. C.
*
Dear Sir:
* Do such-sales promotion campaigns, as the enclosed'
assist in increasingrrespect for the efforts of the Men of
your department?
Eat ---and becomes-G-Man--a sorry baSis for the
requirements of your, department and a sad comment on a man
who irould stoop to such -a use of his name and published
history.
Yours .truly,
Fred Smith
,1528 S. Detroit
' i
Tulsa, Okla.
Writer encloses a comic strip which was<an 'advertisement
in the Tulsa World, of 2-16-36, and which featured former SAC Melvin
Purvis;recommending the eating of Post Toasties. Original letter and
strip in.-file no. 80-84?$6
ifl r 'T.
Stc u l°t)
AMERICA'S
NO.l
wm
MELVIN FUftVIS, formerly Ac
M
wk« (l< <*$>■
•w* ot TXBimgtt, "Pretty toy*
fUyL *Babjr f ik*“ Nelsoo, u4
K*f«! ct <*>*f public
M/. IWIi w«l> b«mV« MMy
•*4 aMC&odl «s «4 U cap(«ri<I'
^•pcnMcriaMaliK FmtoMeai
VaatoAs, «k* m*mct Of Ac cbara<*
un involved ki>« bM«.ckU|ei.
Tk« ««tko<J» of a^pfebeadi**
cri*»i»il 3 , MkI d)« i*ix )4 W <7 of
<W Ci{X«r< of «ypi<»I Itw-kfwk.
«f«, ar* L«r«wirA pubbtlM it
diKkiif tin cumi
Does NOT FAY.
©n/mrrurvw.,
TELL* OS ABOVT
TM* TIMS VOU
CAfryefO'.TNC
*AAKUS.. 0 ANGt
r wfix.nct notorious \
tAMVICAMMOMr J
MADE A FAH> CM A SMALL ]
IUW >5 BANK. WHEN MY . j
. G-MEN ANOlAAftfVEV l
rMIUWEM NO CLUti J
Lf* .wnthm. .
[ Wf BOMt KNOW'
* WHICH WAY
WE/WC^VT J
sSefei®
/wR FURVito©H.W»*\
[ ViAN ANiTHINO? IJT 9 I
BLEW Ot*W< WINDOW I
[ of that gang* car /
AS rtswt BASIS '
L MY GROCERY^ Jta
' Wr SCJUM tyAAT 1
They weri using for V
A OFTAWAYl VCHJ BfT . |
tt MEANS SOMETHING! J
MM'S MOW A SCftAM CHART WO*KS< SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE TW£
AOS SEAY, THJE SANOlT'CAA CHMYES CAAEFVUY OVE< THE ROUTE
flammed for the geT-awaY, selecting uttU-used rtOADs^xA Ct
MlUACES ARE NOTED ON THE CHAW. WHEN THE BANOiT CAR DRIVES
KfP TO ME iANK^TME MFLEAOE GAUGE IS SET AT llA<X WHEN THE.
CM A0AA5 AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF* THE FOSSE AY, A SAN&Y
Calls oi* The mileages ay wwchtvrns are to be maoc...„
• 5 /TOThS,OF A MJU, WOMT TUAV... 2 -VZ MAES,*LEFT TUAN,* ETC.
vow/we'know; \
CXAOLY WHICH I
Way tmeYrs. I
going* A
- £■.*»*?* j
mayss.-w follow.,
Wat mat-havi w*
ROAM WEYVE,
MAHKf» AHEAB
Watched.. fu^tAY j
L AMWNCHl J
' MY MUNCH IS WAT WHEN THEY LO*Y THAT
EC I AM CHART, THEY MA» K> CHANGE WEM*
WMOtl FiAH OF SCYAWAV. I Wink Th«Y\L'
KEETON THI MAIN HIGHWAY TOW* K>M>CA
I —AN# IV OOtNO TO HEAB W€M OFFl t .
KNOW A SHORT CM TO we CROSS ROM*..#
STEF OH ITANi? WSU CATCH BARKVS YEt! ,
"AT*THE CROSSROADS.
Sphere They Cot .
we're too la ri
TO STOF.TMENf-
. - --
7*0 LATE, NOTHIN*!
Tli SHOOT CUT
L iTMElR TtFEll
r STICK tMV» 5 *»€ >
•ARKUS! WEVE
GOT WO AND VOVA
GANG 0 €A 0 TO . ,
. FIGHTS THIS *»Mf f J
v :VV»>
i m MELVIN KttVTS!
VOOKNOW FAIR AH»
VO AN, A G-MAN NEEDS
A HEARTY, SATISFYING
•RCAKFAsr.'. That's
WHY J ALWAYS CAT
FOST TOASTIES!
Com , I
Flakes. 1
S MltKETMOIrtt YSfc..-
TOY* B* * xut / fQA
Mi* *»** '-P-X
—Reties
j VACANT GETAWAY,
IrFftOM WA C-MSMt
MI FOA A 1
feal g-man's 1
BREAKFAST,
Then! I'm going
TO HAVE TOST *'
JOASTIES EVERY J
OAY! /
fc;-
■ ^ UVl’WlM
51 SWELU 5 r tASntib
J8 CMEAi fVEM
JOIN MYJUNIOR G-iHEil!
BOYS’AND OlRlSf.. 1X1 SEND YOU FREE «c* *wuuno» $01 A»oo*
6 -MA» .* 60 E._ EN.OU VOU OX TW, tECMT *, My JUlJlOX C-MEXAN» EEM>
VOVA •!« CMirwO BOOK JXAT WlAf VOO AltAIOVT tlMA SCCMET COOEA<NV>filOLC
Wl«4 EE1 /-OEFEM«,.OT»E*YmsiOE'|mWAMATiO« M.f OX IY OX.EX KMOW. ..»£*»
- EE 1 . 0 W HOW ro > 01 X AN» OET rxEEl AN» MY OTHifTIu SiFTST-—- ~A
to to* 4 */*' » Y
bNI** ^ J.^. t . w- -A ►
- (a r j
s3k*?,'
incut Tin smt^i^l'J
simwi* v
>HH
H eirs *a ytm kiYB hA>H Mn
;»K Ilk moGkhdiI
of PDrcTomoss. Se*4 IkRbocVOFAwith
G<cooixH»iGiriiWHM«M«IWi,
«/• Pmi Toaboas, SMSiCrttk, MkV~
r H*H f aB W ii nl y imoQ yo« m NSgm
U«fUi]MMG'MMCorNii\M«l
JT* U« official JmJm G-M»* :; :
•*4 kii Ha Ar3!i«f l>o«k Am icDs iS
about WvmI^cmmi Jk*fcx O-MiA
a *4 bow SO f«t OTHER GRAND HU
I GiETl! StoA cL« coojpoo Hsbs oowl'
Mofvio Fvrvla, T,«,w. hm ■
" "/• F**l TbkSb^ IbNb CiBik, MkMfMi |
I win io foia y<wr Junior GMmi CocN. I
PJ*aa* a **4 aa« Official BaVg« f lamwctw*' S
Ma*««V aoG catalog of IRES FUZES H*r* j
* fib atf two FV>m To#««» box-***, Cb*ck «
wk«cb*ffb07< >orsW( X j
W * M * l
- ■
■EE?J
r
f'Cierk_
r. J
^u^y
/vM^
— z? ^
g?au^ -
^ *^- /%4*U; —
tECORDBD ——
- <fc —<—V
IKDEXED {T£g|
18 336
As<_
AjuS &~J
fjy
# 7 '
:!>?$
*-tc/ ^
U^ajlJ ^iT^f-^i 7 ^
%
w %
mttwm
56
i* ■■■■**
„ iV u i '
' i&corpt.'
«* ' 1
(
-Tim 5:10 P.M.
Conversation of Mr. Tam with the Director.
j Mr* Tama advised that a letter had been received from Agent Hartin
^Stating that he had been informed by letter from Detective Lynch of the Chicago
Police Department that°Purvis is endeavoring to line up the dissatisfied men
in the service, those who have left of their o?/n volition and those who have
been discharged, and through their political affiliations^oppose the Director;
that Purvis is promising the men certain jobs; that Hartin does not know if
Purvis has contacted Xempster.
-/><? -
f
s
JBLiMM
JERAL'BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
P. 0. Box 1276
Oklahoma City, Okie*
February 27^ 1936
Director,
Federal.Bureau of Investigation,
Washington, D*C.
Dear Sir:
-**a *?- t »w r^ti
O
i"'
1 . .
1
: l-. m ,
» J - t’E-U....
C.r'l.......
!fr. C ‘ y
’ ■. : vzs'ii .
“ t+ ♦**-. £ t 6 j
. 4 % t ;> ,J (S «
k - T ’« vO »-*»*•
Ur. Lc-tcr »*»»■*■*»■%**•*
< Q »»i»m *•*»-»n
t tv* r * V
l tmtWMrt
T *Jt« *3^—»—A -vtntt i-iddi.
Vfc **»»-«.**■**-'*
vt^*SJ k tiivt'nnn
»k»ki>nlink Wnt
um ; *'mnr«fk'-''v4W'---
As of possible interest to the Bureau, there is trans¬
mitted herewith a Post Toasties advertisement appearing in the
comic section of the Daily^clahoman on February 16, 1936, cover¬
ing the exploits of ‘•MeIvin Purvis - America*s No, 1 G-Man", in
connection with the Junior G-Man Corps, sponsored by the manu¬
facturers of Post Toasties*.
%
-AJvrrthtmtnt " CT*-" ?T ’
■; mm §
r^si
y-»v
: ■ ~ ~ Z-mSm-
jg^tor^q-
ANINSIDESTOKYOF-
MEIVINPURVIS
MllyiN poivis; ti« ><M»M
Uwytf wkO b«{*J** *C« _
G-Ma#y v wbO directed jb*
capture o(I>a2ie*e#<*Pretty
- JNelsop* ocher fwl*
Ik Mr.Purvit rK
» Wi ^r4 ; thi^Mor)' and
n*tV>d**se'Li» ttpoiwtfeg* ;
decperatecr fcmaOafs,, Namet^
tif placeOod the characters
be^o cfcaegecL !>& &»*?* j
Kory fai J>ef*wfcl* p-o^'shed' ’
At tfrftcb»6g proojfthat£IJM«.
- DOf 5 NOT FAY I * - *
<"* - - ' «n- » —
ni?rryvjAr?r?t
■ kfcjg I'
ss#&j
5S?5?»
AT THE FEOtRAt 8UREAUOF
la aaaaaaagg
BY OEORCti THtRt'S an
ASANOONE ffCOPPtft MINE
Nttf fCmftMlSS f ROM. ’ .1
HMtT6wN;:;rHsiE the
iCigtwtVt.’.,
" 6MN LOOKING
eor! •'■
tMI FLFCT«OiVS *5 ,H,, 2 l>* '«('
"the many r/hooaan4<i <4f tea « wwd
>>y th* By read <rf Analyt* 14 &*-
min* th* >MVi{WMi>k>« of tub- ’
•< a6cm bmugbf U t« b* aAvIysM. ,
* Some of the mv4 Melvin W/vie
, bTouebt 14 wa* plates! lAaoIutkm-
■ 14 IMe beaiw, »Bd «b«» • * *1*0- I
trie eurrea* WM jmm«< tv*u|¥ '
t H.Tb# eopp« Ora biiha mu4 wu j
; Yefratad, wbea! H w%* deftotit**-
'Op *«• Of th# metal fUtAi «XV_
becUtf wft|k the electrie- vH • s
BOYSHGIRLS IJOIirMrJUHIORlGIMAW CORPS!
lU SEND YOU FREE MY OfE.ICJAt'JUNlOR G-MAN BADGE., i PUT,.YOUR .NAAK ON
THE, SECRET ROtti.;ANO StNDYOU MY.a&'tXCfrlNC 900 k That TEUS AlX'AeoOt <
alsilSECRIT COOES, SEtE OEfENSt, INVI$t8LE WRITING; 7. SECRETS EVERY’ AlNIOfy
g-aw oug^;Yoknow;<.Instructions o^hcw toB fam A RCwiG :/ . ,
operative ano even Criee.operativeV*aeso'mV,bicxataiog..teiXing eovs y '■
ANCrGlRCS ’hCW.TO GET OTHER FREE PRIZES*. ;SENOiTHE COUPON NOW!. „ £ .
“Post fpasties-that’s tHe clue to
better breakfasts!” says melvin purvis
Y 0 J 01N S Scftdtw* Pot* Toearie* •
*up* wib &upoO('t* X«M* fufw't Kill
uAdU ro« it t me mix*,of bU jvmkx G-Mi*
CwYi. * »>«ik FOU ki* o/6ci»Jja*io< G- X**
Wi«< t*d> &*iB£at book‘m*5 t*&a<
ha* ** becomt a G-M«ov »"•* » cut**
OtHUL iYELL fUI FUZUI
B*>*‘
Gi»W CktfnJo* W§«
(«lx»«)y Ko<h Mfrt
, ir« 'pi >oCiiM iol*
' foil* «i<k
- MtfA'IoUtUN.krftMAll
ib:M «o4 oiimM In
Mn* E^h«t Ml* mi
f*t > N« T**»ei«*
toy*,
l CET THESE OTHER SWELL PRIZES
V ; X&iC&htfifV'W) *>T
t\ AlrfoillilAfWI PN#TI "THIf-AWirlliP*
,1 , z Of MELVM WAVES, A, |N»4 V ih*m
- \ 5uit»W* lot &•*•**. NuO> of • fH*riL
|§§l ,ft«**fot'>{l*0»V Aa«^a »% V\ ■
SQ'-Ttitcfil w»lt-km»w* «wtW#
1PM* ■ x X of cbiMfMrt ANNMtt
ft «*«- % - - ■* > <v -~
- |UfU0««-MAA WAllET, Lom,.
' tfmyj hUicwm »lu*4 Cobouu -
AX t»nUI Mwikwtt cx4. w»«J» roof _
•pOYJ a« 4 tiAis, ttU « tip from
JU IM-'-kwf A' bi*' bowl oC crispy
Vrvoc>y Pox To*s<kt"witIi Usdovi,
ri>* frtftt *ol berrktl- ttyt M«k
viO Pun-is* _ 1 t ' ^ _ '•*.' *
- koow yoii’H lik* tbcm—every *
tpooft/iJ? posl Totsdct, tW better
<ot * lakes are mode from tbe tweev
<etk$ef lktle be*rts o( the coco•
where most of tbo flavor U More*fr
A*4 every, AoUe^-brOwo„l»ke it
loaste*! JttbU crisp, to if wfl^ keep
creaky y.ooJoes* to6g.it im t*£ k
or *; ^ ^ ^ * * v
^Ypobet MtHiO PunritkbOwt ^be
tecYef of tentE frciHisti}'At*l.
Jokb Cmtttik 14, of jj.Si.
KkW*i Terrace, New Votk Cky. U
t one of: tie ckow>
ia44t of yoppgMttt
wko *|re« wkk
Mm, He’* a menv ,
be# of the JfeoioT G-
Mta Corps *h4 jbe
.nyu'Ivery were
le*. | kate' POM
Toaxiet fo# break-
fowl cavanavga ^ Mom.tayt they
~ - '.'t.ts -»rt good fw me
am* ]l (ft* kave them aty 'iTM# of the
day, X. sometime* Km* (kem after X
come borne from tcbooL’* n
. fi TeU Motbe# to! get Post Toastie*
ftoe...'rt* price it low. Aedftiae
Mel vie PwvIs'JmiwG-Miti Corps!
• rest CEKM-MAf* »V ttNEAAl FOODS '
.——CLIP COUPON NOW!——
. ,• , “W.« ;
MELVW WAVIS,*/. WM latWCrMA. MWA.
I ^ To«10>t '#«ckM< see*,
Mum mM me ik« itemt chacka* betew. (keck
wkatba*boy ( )m rn’i*< b
( lW«aibw*ki> BWii (WmE 2 Win* to#«> *
< > of Purvia <w>* * pmLm* »•*•* !
- ► ’
, OfMMfW OwamAxn l^CWMbk U.S-A.; -
Office of Director'
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
March 2, 1936
Time: 6:45 P. M.
MEMORANDA
J
caiMxsi
lie. ci«:i
Mr. Coiky
lb. EdwartU
yir. Sim-
Mr. Vo*worth..__
Mr. Mar bo
■. Joseph- r'
Mr. HeUh._-*j4£2C/
Mr.
RE: Melvin H. Purvis.
In the course of a telephone conversation
with Mr. Ladd at Chicago, he stated that he was
forwarding to the Bureau information concerning
Mr. Purvis* advertising of Post Toasties. Mr.
Ladd stated that he had received an advance copy
of the comic section of the Hearst papers for next
Sunday, March 8, 1936, in which Mr. Purvis describes
in & series of illustrated pictures how he cap¬
tured the "Barkis" gang. Mr. Ladd stated that
. ..in the^strip Mr. Purvis acknowledges Post Toasties
V as a food meeting the substantial requirements
^ bf a "G-Man" and also offers tp send upon receipt
\ of a cpupon and two covers from a Post Toastie
carton a badge known as "Melvin Purvis' Junior
) G-Man Badge". Mr. Ladd stated" that the badge is * r ‘
similar in shape and style to the official Bureau
V ade ° 3 - | li ken !
12193
IT 6 [/
• •
J§ifnsimt of ^n&esitgaitmt
Jtpjtrfmtttl of Juelirt
Post Office jgox 812
i
Chicago, Illinois
i
»
Personal and
March 7th, 1936
Director
I
Pederal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am transmitting herewith an advert isement which
appeared in ; the * Chicago, American .for the evening of
March 5th, 1936, ;for Dodge automobiles. T£ is to be
'noted~“that*”tEis ad is sponsored by MelvihVpurvis. 1
I thought that the Bureau would.be interested in re- * *
ceiving a copy of this advertisement.
Very..truly yours,.
(
(
i famous o-Man c
! Corners Dodge
i i j Economy VI!
i L' i By MELVIUPURVIS, » i /, t ■
; '< Former Ac * of Federal Bureau at ’
• " Investitation. V .$, Dept, of Justice *
•*v . I • 1 * f t 1 ,^
V
V«7
7, \ ' V .
i-tfV-Sr'a
V' , •
I-.’ ‘
S-,
-; *v f
| -Thank you,, Mr.; Purvis! 'Thou-
S fio country, are’, talking about
amazing: economy, of. this big
go Beauty, Winner.” ’■Many
lern say ithat Dodged because
cf its .tremendous .savings'in'gas,
oil and upkeep^actually, costs less'
do own than'small, lowest-priced,'
If'" * *'• •' Naf^d'-V-V ,
I; •*: ;”-V ; V : tV :v{ ' ;
!• :$r s c‘ f *
'It'gives me 1 15to2<> nfiles'fothe
i gallon of, gas consistently id city,
*: i Xi /'i 1 ,5-j
... ,?fp
1',VAnd that isn't aln.,Dodge giyes
. you 'fafetyrsfeel bodies .. i genuine
:hydrauHe .brakes isafety-beam;
‘headlights; •,; $he famous Airgtide-
Ride Vy ; redistribution of weight
■ evenly to all four wheels .. * Chair-'
\ Height^ seats; t and l many/other,
features.'; .y >'r ' : ’ ’ r ’
j,' >'And 5 don’t j forget;; Dodge — at
now 1 ,' low prices—.now costs’only ‘
a* few dollars more’’than lowest-
■priced.carsl‘. • -7,1;
--iTi ’‘ rs -- ■'■» ’ 1 m, > 1 l|
•x
One of; the. most’surprising ;,dis-
; coveries I've 'made■' 1 “ V *
• . • •• • ' y. • M:-:'. x w>, •
•Y -.\v - j' • '
Wf
«t!
liks'.
I-;:'
NEWLOW FIRST. COST
®jDwM2l-isas!j
4 A*e Witt tb« Btw OflRtui Ct>rr»!.f Motor* ■'
Conotn.PCUt Credit Cemptnr t% Ttxn* p*f:
/Mat PUa.DaSct Itooweo fyto p*} foe f ;
If,' T - r-r^ - D OD Q E-trr-rr*'-' i
IL Dtir/sjem st Cbee'*l*t Corporettaa '• I
nil« Tist la/roViM Ft*!
tirlstHARRY ‘ R 1 CHMAQ
' ;V.and as;high ; as.22 miles
; in the country,':,'.' V " " ">/
saves money 1
'Atthe*same time,:this’'Dodge
C ;rtainly saves ,on oil; 'Excepting!
f r. regular, changes,? IVe ■ had do
;a Id ho oil at all.’,, , , 7 / • / 1 1
THE CHICAGO sAME
3 - 5” *54
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
WHDLrBG
jjebentl ^Bursmt of ^nfrcstigation
J$. Pfparimeni of justice
p. C.
March-9, JL936.
mr.omimm for the .director
Re;' Public's reaction to activities of
Melvin ’H. ;Purvis.
PERSONAL AND-t
{isi.ntx
| Mr.
CIW Clerk
/ Mr. ............
J Mr. Coffey
^ Mr. Ednrdt
Mr. F«rowth..„.„,
Mr. lUrko .........
^Mr, Joseph
SrU^... M .. uu>
[’ Sir. tester
HT t-x. ?frfy.. ...a*-..... .
y ^4^5® ..........
f 1 »»r»t •n»jrn'ea*\ta«««i
Reference is made to'your memorandua attached.concerning-the message
from Special Agebt in‘Charge Ladd to the effect that .former Special Agent in
Charge Melvin H.Purvis‘is supposedly sponsoring, a comic strip in-connection
with Post Toasties;
X thought youmight be interested : to know that , on ray recent speaking
trip, many people made- inquiry- concerning'Purvis*’ activities and,, without
exception, -their questions, in-effect, boiled down to-"Is ’it ethical for former
Special Agent in Charge ; Purvis to sell- confidential „information as he purports
to do?"
These inquiries'-usually were made during opeh forum discussions which
1 held, and I took occasion to point out‘that you, the writer, and other officials
of the Bureau-had turned "down various-offers similar to 'those accepted by Mr.
Purvis. The general reaction-of audiences to Mr. Purvis''activities seemed to be
one of disgust and*many Individuals specifically suggested'that there ought to be
some manner of stopping these activities on his part.
■f f fi r
At my speech in Detroit before the General Motors executives..and about
45 members of'the Southeastern ^Michigan Chiefs of Police Association, one of this
last named group specifically mentioned the Post Toasties ccraic strip and the use
of purvis* name in connection .therewith and.stated emphatically, that it,wa 3
disgusting ,to him and-that he thought .such activities on Purvis' :part were - extremely
unethical. '
: In this*connection, it has always been my belief that the old'adage,
"Give a man enough ropeand he-will hanghimself", will prove true in Purvis'
case and that the public will soon become tired of his "trading upon his association
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
* 6 * DIRECTOR
HHC:DD
»
%.
ureau of \
^ 3 *jj«rfc»e«i of justice
, JNasIjmjjtxm, <2J.
March 9> 1936.
'MEMORANDUM, FOR•THE■DIRECTOR
4m
! RE: melvinPurvis
Mrs. Frances G. Lee who is In the entourage of Dr. Georg
Burgess Magrath who is lecturing before the training school this
morning, informed me before the class began that she has recently jbeen—“**-
in Chicago for a visit with her daughter who lives there. She staged"
that she felt sure the Bureau would be interested to know the general
comment with reference to the resignation of Mr. Purvis.
She stated it was the rather wide-spread consensus of opinion
in the city of Chicago that Mr. Purvis had received so much favorable
publicity as to become the victim of enmity on the part of Washington.
I informed'-her that there was .absolutely no truth to this as, in fact,
Mr. Purvis had’ submitted his, resignation, and that so far as I was in¬
formed: he, did not disclose:any reason for his resignation at the time,,
and that he had never disclosed any reason : to me personally, but I
knew what she had heard was not a correct statement.
;She .stated that her daughter had related an 'incident ,to her
which Mrs. Lee thought might be ,the cause of Mr. Purvis 1 leaving the
service. It seems that Mrs. Lee's daughter was.a member of*a dinner
party some, months ago-to-which Mr. Purvis was invited. '.The dinner
was scheduled for seven-o'clock. At 7:i5*-Mr. Purvis called and stated
■that he .would'be late and was>just'leaving.,forthedinner party; that
for the remainder of the evening he called 'from every. night * club en
route to the place where ' the, dinner, was held and, upon his arrival at
about eleven o'clock it wa£ obvious that he had not been engaged in
official,matters and* she 'judged/thaj; this was .the condition which.led
to his>resignation., I told her,I knew nothing about that whatsoever and
she inquired If she might be permitted to tell her friends in Chicago
that there was no basis for the remarks she -had heard with reference to
Mr. Purvis. I told her I felt sure she wou}d b e privileged to make
.this statement as-I-knew it was a true one.
-'Si ./ r, •
(CUz&ZMo.
Mrs.'Lee has indicated that she.again iwants>tQ|make*a. r tour”',
(w AAWIV\OV\Tr t»r4 + Vi TVv* II A Vl .4 ^ 1 ^ ...
of the-Bureau In company with .Dr* Magrath. She [inquired ^the'Direc tor
the ^ 0 ^ Ce, th^^shi?>a^ted to see himi{befftf^j^l^23L^jp3g
JIajZ
> *.Af.
lb** D* H* LMMi|
foderal Bureau of Xwveetlfatioo,
U. 0. P e per toe a t of Juetiee,
Foot Office Box 012,
Cbioftfo* miaoie.
Bmut iiyi
Befenreeae iaaidt to roar let tor of Mareh 11, 1936# ooa~
eerniaf the reqoeat Of Hr* V* A. MoBwaia for information relative
to the poloey of Mr* M« H. Burvie duriog 1935.
Ae Mr. Toleott Indicated to you on the telephone, the Bureau
oertainly hot too aush work to do to oeaplle tosh information for e*«
enployeea* At a wetter of foot, of hero denied reducete for euth
iafevoatien txvm mgA Leyeeo la ft* oerrlee*
* *■
The Bureau ie wety oueh eurprioed that you would even refar
each a rotuaot to the -f ohfagtoo headquarter*.
fery truly yours.
Mr.Ladd advises Mr.^.^.McSisain telephoned our Ohi.
Off. requesting to be furnished with exact eaount of
salary earned by Mr. Purvis in Bu last year, as Mr.
licSwain .had been requested by Mr.Purvis to prepare his
incoae tax.
ilr. Tolson says: "Please note - I suggest filing".
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATE
Boom 5744 _3lL
1936.
-±-J>irector I M ,. N.t hsm _
—. Mi*. Nathan J Mr. t*w»b—__
_Mr. Clegg I Jlr. £U'u£iuM»Ui_
_Mr. Tamm j CSilef Vitim. _-
_Mr. Edwards J -it. cii-,- .
_Mr. Egan . | u>. o,a-«*.
_Mr. Quinn :ir -n -..
_Mr. Glavin ^-t- — ■
_Mr. Douglas
_Miss Gandy ^ J "
_Mr. Tracy
_Mr. Renneterger‘*
i JLr m 1> j.--
_Mr. Joseph f,^, ^ ^
_Personnel Files,Section
VS*. C*,3ey
lii
l\tr. _-tU _
_Files Section* v .
_C o maun i c a t i ons !*.S e. ctio n.
_Miss Sheaffer! n.,*
See Me
For Appropriate Action
Send File Note and Return
S-<#
Clyde* Tolson
^pifnsum of ^itfesiigaKon
jBtpxrtauxd of 3Ju»tic t
Post Office Box 812
Chicago, Illinois
March 11th, 1936
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C*
I
l
f
♦
! f, S
}
\
I
I
i
Dear Sir:
Mr. W. A. McSwain telephoned this Office and requested
that he he furnished^rith the exact amount of salary
earned by Mr. M. H. Purvis from January 1st, 1935 up
until the date of his resignation frcm the Bureau on
July 12th, 1935.
Mr. McSwain stated that he had been requested by Mr.
Purvis to prepare his income tax and this information
is desired by him for this purpose.
It is suggested that this information, if available in
the Bureau*s files, be forwarded immediately by air
mail, special delivery, in order that same will be
available for Mr. McSwain prior to the end of this week.
DML;IJM
^ifnsum sf
of JusHee
Post Office Box 818
Chicago, -Illinois
Personal and
JSdBS&vsasC'
March 10th, 1936
Mr. N»th»n
Mr. TolKn,,^^.
Sir. BauiluKutn ...
Chief Clerk .......
Sir. Clejar........
Sir. Coffey .......
Mr. Edmord» ....
Mr.'Exaun
Sir. Foxworth
Mr. tier bo
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
On March 9th, 1936, Mr. Akney of the Credit Reference Bureau,
Chicago, Illinois, called at this Office and at that time
Preferred to the fact that he had an inquiry concerning Melvin
'-'Purvis. He referred to the cards in his possession and
stated that this inquiry indicated that Purvis had stated he
was practicing la* in Chicago, Illinois at 11 East Scott
Street and that he was also connected with the Saleway Stores
in California.
Ihe above information is being transmitted as of possible
interest to you. His connection with the Saleway Stores was
not known to Mr. Akney and nothing further is known concerning
this Company -in.this, district.
Very truly yours,
,IM,:IJM
D. M. LADD
Special Agent in charge
. i
ml
Tlj® 14
FEDFRAL BUREAU dAM VJS[SKjJgjN
Q MAn 14 ,jd6 A M>
U. $, DEPAffl MEM OF JUSTICE
^ FILE
\
** JOHN
EDGAR HOOVER
DiftCCTOft
CT:MAM
^Bureau of (Sttfosiigdtmt
P» P»pnrimcnt of 3>u*fice
JUasljttKjicu, p. Cl.
March 9, 1936
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
I discussed with Judge Holtzoff on Friday, March 6th, the
announced reproduction of a badge in/honnection with the conic section
entitled "The Inside Story of Melvin Tur vis, America's No. 1 G-Man" which
is to begin in the conic sections on Sunday, March 8th. Judge Holtzoff
examined the phraseology in connection with the comic strip and also the
statute pertaining to the reproduction of colorable imitations of Federal
badges. He stated he did not believe the Department is in a position at
the present time to object to the furnishing of these badges, but he thought
it might be a good idea to secure a copy of the badge and then to reconsider
the matter. I will arrange to secure one of the badges, and will take this
matter up again with Judge Holtzoff at that time.
For purposes of record, there is attached hereto a copy
of Section 76a and Section 76b, Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure, Title 18.
Respectfully,
i
Clyde Tolson.
,~-y
1AAR18 1936
c - -
\
I
TITLE 18 - CRIMINAL CODE AND CRIMINAL - PROCEDURE
Section 76a.
Illegal possession, etc., of official badge or other insignia.
The manufacture, sale, or possession of any badge, identifica¬
tion card:, or other insignia, of the design prescribed by the
head, of any department or independent office of the United States
for use by any officer or subordinate thereof, or of any colorable
imitation thereof, is prohibited, except when and as authorized
under "such regulations as may be prescribed by the head of the
department or independent office of which such insignia indicates
the wearer is an officer or subordinate. (June 29; 1932, c. 306,
Section 1, 471 Stat.-342.)
Section 76b.
Same; punishment.
Any person who offends against :the :provisions of.section ,76a
of'.this title shall, upon conviction, be punished*’by. a fine not ex¬
ceeding $250 or by imprisonment for hot exceeding six* months, or
by both* such ( ;fine. and imprisonment. (June^29, 1932,. c. 306, Section
2, 47 Stat.,342.)
1/
1 V
41 ^
Jptfristmt of
<£>- P«pjtrimtnl of 3fo$!tct
Post Office Box #812
Chicago, Illinois
March 2nd, 1936
Personal and’
Director 1
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D* C.
'Dear Sir:
Mr. Ntthta
Mr. T*!*«n.,
Mr. Bocxl«a*a«.
Chief CIrrk_
Mr. Cl
Mr. Coffey
Mr. E&wtrd* ....
Mr.
Mr. Foxwortb...
. Hitrbo ........
’. Jowph..._
Mr. Eelth ..
Mr. Lcrtrr
jZZ
L£
l am transmitting herewith an advance copy of -the comic section
of the Chicago Herald and iExaminer for Sunday, March 8th, 1936,
in which it is noted thfere.ris a comic section entitled "Uae
Inside story of MelviirTurvis, America’s No* 1 G-Man", advertising
'Post Toasties. I I
b7D
Attention is directed to the reproduction of the badge which
appears therein, which, it would appear, is a colorable imitation
of the Bureau’s badge and as such might fall within the provisions
of the recent Congressional statute prohibiting the reproduction
of colorable imitations of any Federal badges.
I thought that the Bureau might be interested in the _ latestjictL-
vities of Mr. Purvis.
m 1 6 1938
DML:IJM
enc.
AIR
iiA -
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Very v^uxy,.yours,. V|J ,, f ' #tjSlTM,* (
D. M. l£DD^ u:> ^^ '
Sp ec ial"Agent*"i'n'Charge j ’ ‘ "
1i
«hr
i *.(
*T
EDGAR HOOVER
director
FATsRLG
^Bureau of ^nfbsftgafum
P. ^cjjarimtni of justice
PtaslptgtcH, JL <U.
March 3, 1936.
i
to
\
A''
H^(
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR.
Mft #2.&AI»
VLtt I
Mr# Bitiitoa ###»«
ChU# Ckcknnmm
Kri
Mr. Cc~»7...........
Mr. giwsrdr........
Hr.Iiia «#fM«#IMI#<
Mr, y«T<>r& Mf##M
Mr. Eirta
[Mr. Jo*t?±
Mr. ....
Mr. Qs&xa
Mr. SdiUti
Mr. T*ssa *«<
Mr. Tr*«y
Special Agent E. F. Barich, who was recently on
leave in Cincinnati, Ohio, gave to ne the attached newspapej,'
"Fleming 1 s .American Examiner", for July 20, 1935, In which
there appears an article concerning an alleged escapade of
MelvinTPurvis in a Cincinnati drug store. I am advised that
the editor of this paper has since been indicted and prosecuted
for other matters.
Respectful, jr.
Miff GaaSf,
E. A. Tama.
MAfi 1 1 1331'
^ 'Iff?-
l 1
i I
I I M - . < 1 '»
p -*t ~ 1 ' r r f k -
•nit
i •
«<> .,
. . ■ .,'<<» ■ R’ > '
it r \
JM 19 m
f
Purvis Gone;
Pink Memories Still
Linger On
G-Man’s Decision To Quit
Service Brings Alligator
Tears From Those In Know
WENT WILD IN CINCY DRUG STORE
Agent Who Grabbed All Glory In Getting
Dillinger, After A Woman Put Johnny
On The Spot, Who Got Another Gourd-
Full Of Glory In “Pretty Boy” Floyd
Killing After Police Did Preliminary
Work, Now “At Ease”
Cincinnati, O., July 17._
Word was received in Cincin-
ati today that Melvin Purvis,
resigned head of the Chicago
Bureau of investigation of the
Department of Justice, gave a j
statement in which he was
quoted as saying that he is
leaving the ranks of the ‘G-
men with “no regrets”.
He further stated that he
was glad to get out, and that
he was quitting for entirely
personal reasons. It’s the bunk.
Several weeks ago Fleming’s
American Examiner, carried the
story of how Purvis made a first
class nuisance of himself, in a
down town drug store in this' city.
| According to bystanders PUrvls
| came into the store, drew a gun,
and in typical Jesse James style
1 announced to all within hearing
! that he was the “big G-Man Pur¬
vis,” who was in on the killing of
| John Dillinger and ‘Pretty Boy”
i Floyd.
So that no one could be mistaken
as to his identity, he three times
attempted to get in touch with J
Edgar Hoover, chief of the Bureau
of Investigation at Washington,
D. C., over the public telephone in
the drug store.
After scaring the wits out of
the store’s customers present,
and after causing the clerks to
seek places of shelter behind
the counter, the mighty Purvis
staggered down Walnut street,
giving his delusions of grand-
uer full play.
At that time the press through¬
out the nation, were indulging in
their usual methods of building up
a very ordinary indvidual, into
some sort of a giant killer, for the
purposes of building a circulation.
This very ordinary young taw
student, from the southern moun¬
tain district, was pictured by the
pjess as a Sherlock Holmes. Nick
barter, all in one, whereas, he
merely headed a crew of police,
state and federal men, wha went
out and shot a small town punk in
the back, after he had been put
“on the spot” by a woman, who
sold out for a price
In the case of “Pretty Boy”
Floyd, he merely walked in, and
with the prestige of the Federal
government, took the case out of
the hands of the police; after they
had done the preliminary work and
grabbed all the glory himself.
Purvis was formerly head of
the department of investiga¬
tion in Cincinnati, and at that
time, it was rumored among
Department of Justice men
that he was a “great favorite”
of J Edgar Hoover, he was ne¬
ver popular among the other
G-Men, and when he was
transferred to Chicago, it was
greatly tv the relief of his' sub¬
ordinates in this city.
Purvis gave out a statement that
he intends to sit on his front porch
and smoke his pipe, where, through
the smoke he can dream of the
days when he shot a small town
punk in the back, and got the cred¬
it for killing a modern Jesse James
out of the hills of Oklahoma, when
he wasn’t even close to it.
LBNtMC
«wreh 16, 1936*
JJefrmtl JjPureau oi <3ftt&esiigaifon
JI- £?. JUpariumti oi justice
j/P* 0. Box #1525
/'Pittsburgh, Pa*
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C.
Lear Sir:
PERSONAL &
Mr.'Nathaai,,.^^
Mi.
Mi. Eiv.frVaia =-.«»•>
. CMef Cleri S 3«.« --a I
i/\ jii. crnt.
TAl. CcTsy
Mi. E<hr; i
Mr, Srn . .. |
Mr.T‘vrfrc-1 J
March. 12, 193 »Mr. -
' Jr M*. 8e:U.*-...
Mr. fcoitar...—- = *
Mi. Quisa........-...--
& ujM'inm'Tjn-g*- Sct2dei *
^Mp. Xajaaa =-..=^*i
Mi. Tracy.-—*•*-
Mi** Gtaitr
J k few days ago Dr. Janes M. Mallen, Bellevue,
^Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, called ae over the telephone and
TJasked ae if I knew how he could get in touch with Melvin
■Purvis. I informed hia I did not know.
He then told ae that the North Side Dental
Society of Pittsburgh expected to have a banquet in honor
of Dr. Walter E. Mendel who has been recently elected Presi¬
dent of the Pennsylvania State Dental Society, and he was
anxious to get in touch with Mr. Purvis to have hia address
the aeeting. Dr. Mullen stated that the Society, of course,
expected to pay Mr. Purvis for his services in addressing
then if they could be procured, and asked me what the atti¬
tude of the Bureau would be in such a case. I informed Dr.
Mullen that the Bureau had no attitude on the matter one way
or the other, but that if it was desired by that organiza¬
tion to have someone address the aeeting on the work and
functions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation I was satis¬
fied I could obtain a speaker either from Washington or fill
the engagement myself.
Yesterday I received another call from Dr.
Mullen, at which time he stated that the banquet was to be
held for Dr. Mendel in either the Boosevelt or the William
Penn Hotel on the evening of Jpril 8, 1936.
4V N.
He asked me if I could arrange, to address the
meeting without requesting the Bureau .to send a speaker from
Washington. Z told him that so far as I knew I had no en¬
gagement for April 8th. X then asked him if he had been unar
hie to communicate with Mr. Purvis and he stated that his 'Or¬
ganization had communicated with Mr. Purvis hut he hod been
unable ,to .come to Pittsburg, to address their meeting.
In view of the above,I am^wondering if it is
tdesired that I.address this meeting.
Very truly your s,
ELS:IW
<* 4219^984
*
2
*
CT:MAM
ritl-
Ifenh 17, 1916
!./.(
i VM3&MD0M 18* MR* ft* J, HfCLORB
ghikul AGnrr
iml yt U aolnaolodgfti of your mmortuSm do tod Moroh 15#
1956# ownRdtti « ouoyeaoion fro* iho February# 1955# onpeoae
Maouot of fomor Speojul i|«nt Stelwiu II* Purtio*
In tiu» of th* foot that Mr* Purrie in not oooaeotedi with
' thl« Burton at iho jMroMnt tint# it in augKtatod that you my
daalre to ooMMdiootf with M* diroot* Hi* addre** io IX loot -
Soott Street# Chicago# XU toot **''
> * ' r
fary truly your*#
John Edgar Bower#
Z&raetor*
The General Accounting Office has Bade the "following suspension
f« 5 ft the February, .1935, expense account of former Special 1 Agent-Melvin
H^Turvis:
"Melvin H. Purvis, Special Agent in charge
Claimed transportation as follows:
Jan. 31, 1935, T. R. J-433129, Chicago to Kans. City $13.78
Feb. 1, 1935, T. R. J-513671, Kans. City to Qzaha 5.97
Feb. 2, 1935, T. R. J-513673, Omaha to Denver, Col. 16.12
Feb. 3, 1935, T. R. J-513675, Denver to Salt Lake City 17.70
Feb. 4, 1935, T. R. J-513677, Salt Lake to Butte^Mont. .13.03
Feb. 5, 1935, T. R. J-513679, Butte,Mont. to San Fran. 35.31
Feb. 7, 1935, T. R. J-507401, San Francisco to Los^Ang. 14.20
Feb. 8, 1935, T. R. J-507403, Los Angeles to San Antonio 42.96
Feb. 11, 1935, T. R. J-507405, San Antonio to Dallas 8.75
Feb. 12, 1935, T. R. J-507407, Dallas to Oklah. City 7.10
* Feb. 13, 1935, T. R. J-507409, Oklah, City to Chicago 24.06
198.98
Entitled to A. Y. T. round trip rate Chicago to San Francisco
via route used $115.00
Side trip Ogden - Butte and return 15.95
$130.95."
In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish this of¬
fice with an appropriate explanation, in duplicate, in order that it may
WRG:LEJ
4
April 1, 1986,
HUa Hary C. Halpla,
Xaxoa, Incorporated,
9fO lexlafton Arcane,
AvTotkg few York*
fear Malwi
X ten jroiaf ooeauialeatloa dated Harsh U, 1986*
relative to Hr. Merrie Purrla.
A search of the filea of the federal Bares* of
laveatigatloa, H. 3. Bepartaeat of fastis*, falls to reveal
a reward of a fonwr saploye* by ibis warn. Ill* bailor#*,
however, that yea hara referees# to -Star* felrla^Faxria, who
was fsnarly employed 'by this Bareaa. .la this eaaueectioa,
you art adrlaad that the records do sat diaslosa a forward!**
addraaa for Mr, Purrla.
Tory traly years, ,
, , -^fjcr fioorcT’ ■
lota Idfir Hoover,
Director,
* ' 1 1 -
f IV*...
' f • r. t5v),'{Imian .
' ' -fCisr*,
; ?. Cief!g.= -
"f Ccffey -
>, 'EdwMd* - -
TSiWl --- ■»
, 1 , Forworth
■' , .JTaHbo - -
r.tf JvJ? :T|..
1 '-*r, i ' f i , .... H
tir, L^tnr -
• Tto, o L.n -
‘ ITr. r 1 - 1.
Vr
* v 1 j, .
5
I
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f I
L !! > ^ 7*?«*<.
f
M A X O N ~3nc-
570 tEXXNGTON AVENUE'NEW YORKCITY
March 26, 1936
Mr. J. Edgar Hoover,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, |
Department of Justice,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs
We are anxious to get in touch with Mr. Mervin. Purvis,
who was formerly connected with your department.
Anything you can do to help us locate Mr. Purvis will
be greatly appreciated as we are trying to secure his
services in connection with some advertising publicity.
x*
Very truly yours,
M A x'o N Inc.
APR 31936
<//■
1
■4-i „ / — "5 -C
\ y M A A 1 ;
^.d.%
:j,uV 1 SC 4
X> B T R. O I T
NEW V'
CHI |C AGO • C L E VS*.
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
WHDL:BG
Re: Public's reaction to activities of former
Special Agent in Charge Lie Ivin Purvis.
PERSONAL AHIUAjlS'lMJJi'inr
I recently -received a letter froarmy rather in which she
comments upon the recent actions of Llelvin^Purvis, former Special Agent
in Charge of this Bureau, :in connection with certain advertisements.
1 believe that her reaction in this regard is, in general, typical of
that of the good citizens of this country. She writes: "Do you see
the numerous advertisements to which Kelvin Purvis is selling his name?
-They range -from breakfast food (with his Junior G-Ken Club) to Dodge
cars. T suppose he must make all he can out of it, as .his lime-light
will necessarily be brief. It seems very undignified, even piffling, to me."
While I am frank to confess that the word, "piffling" , as used
by ay mother, .is a new one on me, I an still inclined to agree with her
that Purvis' actions are, at the best, .rather "piffling" .
For your confidential information, I suggest as a description
for him: "The most expert blunderer the Federal Bureau of Investigation
has ever had."
Respectfully,
XBR02
J AN 19 193 4
*
EATiRLG
W'r- 'iM
Q.Jl
\ i
9 , 1936 *
Ur* Malrin Purris,
Hotel Marie Hopkins,
ten franoisoo, California*
, *=
Jt
Boar Sir*
lour loiter of April 7, 1936, tmasnitUac **
maoajrmom* loiter add r oaaod to yon from Torro Haute, Indiana*
Mao boon rooolvod in Mr* Mooror'o absaooo and will W brought
to hit attention upon hit rotarn to tho oitgr*
Tory truly yours,
Harold Ha than,
Assistant Birooter*
XEROX
JAN .19 1SS4
Bptil 7,1935
lip. J. .2dgar Hoover,
Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U.S, Department of Justice,
Washington,D.C.
Dear lie. Hoover:
Tho enclosed envelop which contains a
nagazine photograph of Alvin Karpis, and a notation in
pencil of an address in Terre Haute, Indiana, has ju3t been
received by no.
Mr.
tJr, Vr-w ,,
It was forwarded to no frem Chicago,
and so I an sending it, to you herevrith by air nail. This
is all of the infomation in ny possession concerning
this natter.
/ithlclndes; regards and good wishes, ;I remain
(signed^
Hinceroly,
dfolvin^urvis
copy
eh
KHDLiBG
Waroh 23, IMS*.
v
muaumom tor thi piRgotoa
Bet talk bettor* theBualnaaa and profeeeioaal
Women*# Clubef Clinton, Ism, itordh *0, 1936,
• v /
I Had dinner with and talked Wdm tea Bueineea aad Prefeealeaal
.Man'a Cltob of Clinton, lava, am tbo mUht of Narvh SO, 1B5*. I talked
for aao hour aad eaewered %weetiana for u additional ttirty iliitai.
there we*w approximately S80 pareoas present, Ineludlng mentors of tka
•lab and many invited gueeta. Vjr talk aao gives alaaa attention and
applauded vnry generously. X took oeaaaloa to neat mvf of the loading
eittxeaa and bath they and the of fie ora of the olub naked »• to thank you
for wakinga speaker available far this eeeeslon.
I teak eaeaslen to aaat tka Beyer af tba eity, Sheriff Cook
aad Chief af laliaa Daffy, all of whan «m present at ny talk* tba kayo*,
whan ballad on to aay a fewworda, atatod that ay talk 'wee tba finaat
•blah bo bad aver beard aad added Me teller that tba Federal Bureau of
’Investigation mi tba boot organisation of lto kind in tbo world. 1
thanked hi* an your behalf and infoteed him and tba other officer* wont 1 one d
abet* that you bad inatroatad me to look tba* up and give the* your beat
regard*, ill af the* eetoed to bo r sm w bi T a t to you. I alao extended *
aardial invitation os your kohalf to tboao prooost to pay the Buroau a
Unit whenever any of tba* night happen to bo in neehiagtou.
1 roeelvwd s eveval iwritationa to roturm to Clinton,' including
ono fro* tbo Superintendent of Bvblie 3ohoola *tto atatod that h* would like
to bavw m addraoo tbo high eehoola and Junior high aoboola of tho olty
at that tin*. 2s every oaao 2 aagge at e d to the perron extending the
invitation that be abauld d a— am ieate diraatly with you and that you would
sake aowe apaakar available if at all possible.
I want to the bona of tba president of one of thd loaal banka
aad *at aavaral leading bankers and bualnaaa non, all of who* wort hid
ia their praise of you, tbo Bureau and tbo work of tbo Buroau and
who* anaurod no that they war# willing to eeopemte with you in
possible*
warm
of
•&&*
2 alee mat former Speoiel igent Robert Zntiaor, at present auditor
for tho City national Bank, 8a baa be** 111 and It etrunk ** that be nay die
at any tin*. Ha waa lawiah In hie praiaa of you and tba Bureau hut -
^ 7 ^
S-SS-S*.
1
• for Mreetor«
I waa not altogather inpraaaad by hia alnaerlty *ad, of «o«m ( gart
bl».ao lnfomation aonoarning the Bureau and ft* woric Inga it the
preeent tine, other than that embodied inny a p ao eh at whieh he was
present.
m eta tad that he had been reading about ttelrla Purrla in
tarloiie adaartlaenante and was twy disgusted with Burris* aetione.
H* *diad that he had never treated or thought wash of imrrla* ability.
l f of eouree, —de no bo— ant in thia regard. Ha aakad na to convey
hie beet regards to yon and 1 aaanred him that I —tad do so.
Seepoetfnlly,
*. S. U. Looter.
4 <
WROiEW
April 23, 1936*
iKMORAirooii for ?®. h* j* uocujre.
GENERAL AGENT*
Thera are ^taqhed hereto copies of a latter -written
by you to '?■%*, ifclvin Purvis, together with oopleo of hie reply
-thereto, regarding a suspension nadeby the General Accounting
Of He# in eoanssttan with the settlement of NT* Purvis* expense
aeoount for the month of January. 1935*
Thin is to advise you that Mr* Purvis was directed by
wo to proceed to the points mentioned in the Above referred to
correspondence. At the time he deported from Chicago, Hr# Purvis
did not know hit exact Itinerary and. in tone instances, supple*
mental instructions were issued to him which further changed hie
course of travel* For this reason, it was inpossible for .him to
purchase through fare* as «tatod in the General Aeoounting Of¬
ficers notice of exception*
Very truly yours.
(
INDIANAPOLIS STAR
April 10, 1936
u
CTiec
ftp, Molrln H. Fvonrio,
30ft Lombard 0W,
8tt IhuMiMO) (fclifwntia*
April JK>, 1936
p
Datr Slri
la tha abiwn of llmtor I, MjwBhw,
maipt io ookaowlodfod af jrwur lottor totod April
16, 1936, raq«a«ili( ft lottor aWwinil to tho Cao-
•ittoo of ftaur Iioatwof of tho Stato of Oollfermlo
MWfKtef Vaar aoarrlftft ip tho Fadaial Bwroau of 'to*
▼ootlffttioft for Ma li ooaoootioai with four opjdloo-
Uoa for porwiooiaa to pvavtioa lav U that itftto*
A lottor 1* attooha* ohioh it la hoUaooft
will oorro tho por pooo doolrod*
faqr Mol/ youro,
■ For tho Dlrootor,
V<* p/nt’j»s .. . , r ,..
Wr. < - «*■'
Mr. ......
Cliuf* Cksrk , . .
Mr. f"!rs*fP - - -
Mr, tV\«n ..
jr? r:<5 •„•««'*!,
Jfvi tte-'.a ,<■ - ■ -
Mr, ,, ,
Mr, l?r,rf,^t
J£j, __ . -
'if fc., , ,,
' if, 1.1 -.ue* ,,
Mi, , . ,,
» ft • - f i. .» f *n f
1 l.
r f j «..* *-.*
•j -i t v«jW *y ! 'tH'
- ft
toroid tothaa,
Aoolotoat Dtrootor*
ftooloouro #*0tl7Jl
■ y i i. pi n i <*
,• f Aii XX
- »*. i
i
#
Melvin Purvis requests (from San Fran.) letter from Dir. j
•to the cofcaittee of the Bar Examiners in Calif, stating
that the work in which he engaged as S/A is legal work}
also, requirements necessary to become Agent. He has been*
told it is believed this work should be counted as legal
work equal to practice of law.
(It is ray understanding that In the State of Calif.
If the applicant for admission to the Bar has passed
the bar In another state, and has had a certain number
of years practice, he can be admitted by motion without
being rSquired to pass the Calif. Bar Examination).
MELVIN H, PURVIS
JOI tOWOAWO STREET
SAN rRANCISCO
Kr.'Kttkja.
Mr< T®!*»a
Mr. Pt-jicasa.
CW*f Clark_
Mr. Cl«;s.......
Mr. c«r»r ......
Ur.'Cintb ....
April 16, 193$ w*' 15 **®.
Mr* J. Edgar Hoover, Director,
Federal Bureau.of Investigation,
United States Department of Justice,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hoover:
Mr. SToxrrcrth.......
Mr. Cabo —.......
Mr. Jocs?k..........
Mr. Cs&a ............
Mr. Lut»
MTtSUsa.....
Mr.C^rr—....
MriTsasi
Mr. fyur...... .h...
lUu Qtady..........
the...
I am endeavoring to become admitted to
practice of law in the State of California, and tfie
members of the^Examining Committee with-whom> J-have-
discussed the ^matter .have indicated a belief that
the work of a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation should be counted as legal work equal
to the practice of law for the purpose of considering
the 'number of years in’ which the applicant has engaged
therein.
They have asked, however, that I secure a
letter from you stating that the work in which I was
engaged as Special Agent is legal work. They also
desire that the letter state the requirements or
qualifications necessary to become a Special Agent.
They have assured me and I in turn assure you
that such a letter from you will be kept confidential.
If you will assist me by writing such a
letter to the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State
Bar of California, and maii same to me at the address
shown herein, I shall be Indebted to you and I shall
appreciate very much your courtesy in doing so.
With .highest personal regards, I am
777X1. 7 i" W
A [■ iJvs
7^9-
Sincere!^
\AAAXA
,MHP:TW
Air ‘Mail-Special" Delivery
April 22 , 19*
Cnaaittaa of EnaUm,
Mitt Bar Aasaalatlaa of California*
OMtloMttt
L>
Mr* Malxte I. 301 Laabard Maraat, Can
DnaciiMf California, In raquastod that a hattor ho pro-
farad addraassd to roa aanaavniag hit aartiaos aa a Spotlol
A««at la toa Mmi Bow of Invaatigatlm, 9* 0, Dspart-
mat of Jtaotloa*
Waaaf bo adrlood that too rooorde indlaato Mr*
Parris oao appoints* aa a %raial Afoat on Fobruary i, 1927,
aad wmd aa a fpoalal Afoat in too lilaai Buroaa of In-
▼ootipatioa mill Angaat 5, 1935, at ableh tim ha raaifaad#
Bating hia toattro af asrvlss in thla Bataan, Hr* Parti*
p o rf o rn ad inaoatipatlro rat alatlar ta that bantind bp
»■ *—i -■>!v Msjalatad inif iil Amnta la tola lur oatt * a»t*
noth la iavaatifatiaa aad lagal la aaturo, awl baa batata*
faro bam aaaaptod aa local work tgr Bar Aaaaoiatlona m*
fidariaM applioatima of parima aa oatplogrod for yond m Ua
to praotlaa Ian*
fa ba alitfblo far appaiatooat ta toa position af
Bpsoial Agmt aa api&lssai la ratairod ta ba batman toonty-
flaa and toArtf-fioo yoar# of ago and to bo a gradna$# of
a roaacaimd lan' atonal , ng. da npport aooomtant* -via aa*
oomtania ara aaaigaad to/oaooa iavslrlnf atarantlng tppaa
af work ant tha gpatial Agents ara assigned ta tha inveati-
gation af Pedeaal criminal statutes ahioh oono alibi* tha
jurisdiction af tha P<
bd—aJL
Bvroau of fataatlgatlon*
Very tndjr jours,
far too Director,
■&7 - mixers
Harold Hatoaa,
Assistant filrgator*
AN ADVERTISEMENT OF ST^NDARv ANDS INCORPORAlV
—<23 sm't t®k<8
MOTHER OOESNt UniOERSTAmO
a fellow fuels _vOo
OOMY WAsiT TO DS3AS r-'
AROUNt» A- GIO.I— WitM I
pimples all over wea /
/ OH MOTHER - WASHT MRS.
x FOOTE A DEAR TO TELL ME
'ABOUT FlEiSCMmaMm's yeast.
i SET Sam would NEVER Have
ASKED ME IF I STILL HAD THOSE
old pimples! ^_,
m
■Kg
mSgM
DONT LET ADOLESCENT ‘PIMPLES
TOT Ax a disadvantage
"TFOUN G people—duringtbe yearsbetween get rid Of adolescent pimpIesT It dear* them
X 13 and 25. or even longer—are frequently 1 UP by clearing these akin irritant* out of the
humiliated by Unsightly slrin eruptions. blood. Then—the pimple* disappear.
. At this time, after the beginning of ado- Eat 3 cake* of Eleischmann’a Yeast daily—
lesctnce. the body is changing, maturing, one about H hour before each meal—plain.
Important gland* develop, causing disturb- or dissolved in a little Water. Start today—
ances throughout the system. The skin, and keep on eating it regularly until your
especially, becomes extra sensitive. dan is entirely dear.
Waste poisons in the blood irritate
this sensitive skin—and pimples
break out.
Thousands of boys and girls hive
found Fleischmann's Yeast helps to
|1
WA
£o#y*l*hu. i*>A» »aadar4 Brand* t>onrjwr*te4
by clearing skin Irritants
out of tho blood
v-> ii
t
5
$
i
3
At
/*
a
i
t
/
^ i
- Cf *1
4 i't •-
EFEsLlT
April 24, 1936
Mrs. Austin*
1621 Prairie Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois.
Dear Madam:
,V i- - t . ' ’ , , 1
,• > "* t « C
I visit to acknowledge receipt of your
letter dated April 17, 1936.
' 1 f , t ' v,. 4
The .contents of your communication hare
been carefully noted and same have been Jn-
: 1 ‘ i * ‘ r , ’ - . ■ .
corpora ted in the files of this Bureau.
Very truly yours.
*• / , * t \ * John BdgajsDoorer*
t jUrector.
i 1 i
C<^par 8 • ’ u '
*
%*
^16
t . xroor
'.JAN 14> 1984
' l .
April 17, 1936
J. E. Hoover:
Bureau of Investigation - Department of Justice
Dear Old Friend:
I have been expecting''this for some time.* :>It is quite
a piece in the Tribunmorning. I know where it comes
from. It is from DorijrQ^acherman and Melvin intrigue.
I told you last summer to cut it out. She is a southern
girl and you can see for yourself. Never you mind, keep
up courage. You are not the only one kicking, that is
ready for the ax. They are going to start on the attorney
general next. I advise you to see him and take it over
to the D. S. President as soon as you get this. The old
organization is at it again here in Chicago. You know
who they are. Here while you are at it, take this Yellowly
out of Illinois. He has been here too long. Too much
crooked work and deals between the liquor business
and it is his head man that is starting the propaganda
against the Department of Justice chief. You know who
hi is.
I have been quite ill all winter. I am getting some better.
Always remaining.
Your truly,
Mrs. Austin
1621 Prairie Avenue
Chicago, Illinois.
Copy s
JAN 19 1984
1 'if l*'V: '«
reuenu^Uireau of ^iifesfigaitoir
p. Je. l P*p«rim«ni of Suaftte
Los Angeles,/California
April 23j,1936
PERSONAL AM) SglfflBlMMAL .
Mr. J. .E..Hoover
federal Bureau of '-Investigation
Washington,D. C.
Dear Mr.. Hoover: / I-
* . / yc ' l -
;Recently* I metk former;SAC'JJ. E.,P. Dunn on^ the street; 1
‘in Los Angeles, and ; he'told me .that Jhe 'had just;returnedv from
San Francisco, where'he apparently; has - h een. worWpg. for' several
weeks. He mentioned.casually thatrhe<iaet.MelvinjPurvis;*in San
Francisco,, md that ^Purvis ;was* stopping at‘the Mark Hopkins Hotel.
, ' i ' 7
Mr. Dunn did not "volunteer anything further about Purvis,
and inasmuch as he was7in'a<big»hurry, Ivlearaedinothingmore..
I had not -heard that^Purvis was -in'California, and'
thought that you might be interested in knowing \ about ‘this.
[ Mr,
Kr.BiesbssMi iMM*‘ I
Chief CI«ri..........
Mr. Cl«z* ............
Mr. Coffey f+4**r»*m ** t |
Mr* Ejifirdi *»**«»»«
Mr* E 2 *a-
.Mr* Fonrorth.,^.—
Hwbo >«***»»#■«•*
Mr. Joseph mum** «•«.*•
Keith ,
i&tojh
1 m£. Tacatna V
iJfr.Twy—
UltJ c*n4y.
Very truly yours.
JHH:AB*
J. H. HANSON , • * •
:Special Agent in-Charge’
fi&cxtfxsixi _
FMYl*1 ~
" lyJO TEDtKAl CuREM! V
Routed , X ,
.... Indexed......./.
Searched ....
...Recorded
Numbered . /£
4, Checked. . ..JK.
.Serlali-zect^f
:K Piled . A#
UtHnl UtJRr.AL' V INVESTIGATION
MAY lb 1936 a.m.
u. s. DfcfAK»i«c.iii uf justice
1934
• •
JH&isimt cf,
J5- p*jjarittw«l cf Sfiwiic*
Post Office:Box 8X2
Chicago, Illinois
May 6th, 1936
Personal and
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
On May 6th, 1936, this Office received an ir^iry .front
the/Chicago Credit Bureau relative.to MelvixTPurvis.
They desired to know whether he was still in Chicago or
had made his home in San Francisco. The writer advised
them that he, was not acquainted.with the present where¬
abouts of Mr. Purvis.
Ihe Credit Bureau then advised that they had received an
inquiry from San-Francisco, which, inquiry,* set forth that
Mr. Purvis had advised that he was an attorney with offices
in the Parker Building in San Francisco, California.
Ihis information is,being.forwarded’to you,as of possible
interest. ' • J \7'2 %*' ’
14.^3
EML:IJM
* » /y<S i »rw
V , fr.i-j
V ery- * truly-yours ,•
i t*C I if--*} I
I »• ~—
i ii ■' ■' -*• L
tD. ?M. jLADDj,
^SpecieluAgent*in:Charge. —
1 . , •' _L nsscut
J iS84-
/
.1
TOiile-4nSt« Cloud, Minnesota, filling (several speaking en¬
gagements I learned, from'Mr* Alf F* Ha ibo,.professor and music director
of the State Teachers CoU.ege, f 'and brother-of'Mr., Rolf T. Earbo of the
Bureau, that shortly before .'the.ihvitationiwas extendedyou tomake a
Bureau speaker available,to address the ..student body of the State-Teach¬
ers College, the faculty members:of the college , had considered bringing
Melvin Purvis, fonder Special Agent in?Charge; to St.Cloud for a series
of addresses*
•Professor^Harbo informed me'that he knew that-Mr. ‘Purvis
•was trying to *!cash in’* on his .connection and work-with‘the Bureau, and.
that he so informed the faculty membersj-and suggested that they write
directly to you and that you would>make a’ speaker available without any
charges. Professor Earbo*added that he.also stated to the faculty that
he believed Purvis* speeches,for money to be^very unethical, in view
of the fact.that he understood Purvis purported to reveal certain„con¬
fident ial ; information 1 concerning the'Federal-,Bureau of investigation*-
I attempted 1 to learn*what speaking organization if any, was.
sponsoring Purvis* oratorical efforts for pay, but neither Professor
Earbo .nor President‘C;, A* Seiko>co uld r emember what»organizatioxT'or^**
speaking,agency if any was sponsoring Purvis. However, both stated
that they had heard on several occasions that Purvis was available for
such talks in return for a .certain stipend and all expenses*
It is possible that you:already'have this infoimationj but I
was not aware that Purvis was 1 offering to give talks on crime, and'
particularly concerning the Bureau’s work, for pay* It may be;possible
•O
M \ W
ul/yv.'ja
f
4
h ,ro 81AV
! !
Irf?
i
p :\\
\ <
i ■ :* i
BL $
3 ^: 19 * 1904 !
V w
S' <XlK
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-
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to ascertain if this is true, and what speeches or addresses along,this
line he has already„given, if any*
Sincerely^
Inspector
15HDL:JMS
t
STlfc 1984
V
WRGiMDM
Mr. Keero Kristoff.
State Theatre -Building,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Dear Mr. Kristofft
With reference to your communication dated
May 4, 1936, yrou are advised that the Federal Eureau
of Investigation, 0. S. Department of Justice doew
not possess the address of former Special Agent Milvln
Purvis.
Your application on file for appointment to
the position of Special Agent will receive considera¬
tion in the event it is poisible to utilise your
services at some future date. There are no vacancies
at the present time and it is not contemplated that
any additional appointments will be made for some time
to come.
i . I
For your information, only regularly constituted
law enforcement officials and agencies are furnished with
the periodical publications issued by this Bureau,
Sincerely yours.
t
John Edgar Hoover,
Director.
COFI C
.State Theatre Bldg.
Harrisburg, Penna.
May 4, 1936.
J. Edgar Hoover, Dir. ,
Ddpt. of Justice, , i
Bureau of Identification,
Washington, D. C.>
Dear ,Mr.,;Hoover:
, I am writing you this letter in-regards to a little
Information I would!like to have -pertaining to one of your
former Federal Agents. His name is, Melvin Purvis, I would
like to know where-1 could write so as I could reach him.
There is no secret about this Information, I could tell you
if you are interested. Iwduld.like to contact Mr. Purvis,md
ask, for a little information;,In regards to some private detec¬
tive work, end I am.sure that if I can contact Mr. Purvis, be
would!help me;all he can. Is it,possible-that the Dept,
send-me a monthly circular or’bi-weekly circular for crimin¬
als at large and? those wanted, I would appreciate It very
much if you would do this for me. Please answer my letter ss
soon.es possible. I remain.
Sincerely yours,
Keero Kristoff.
P.S. Please Inform whether or not .my application is still in
force. Also if any actlon-has been taken-on it. I
have.gained weight since the time of‘application. I thank
you.
COPY
&5R0X
JAN 19 1984
v
CTifttv
| Mr. Tolscn ....
! Mr. BaoRhrw. . ...
Chief Clerk . ....
Mr. tfogg . •
Mr. Colley
Mr, Edwards.-
Mr. Egon..
Mr Foxworth.
Mr, narbo
Mr. Joeeph..
Mr. iCeltii...... .....
Mr. Lester........ -
Mr. Qniiin.
Mr.Schilder.
i Mr, Tujatai..>*--
I M?. Tracy ....-
I Min*
Uj 28, 1936,
67-7489-6%- /
Mr, B« B* m* iii■«,
104 *aoM*ilt Atmm,
Omt Kr,/ t raw ii
lour loiter of rooant Otto aMv—A to
tbo tepartaunt #f Jiotio* ooooijmlo* tipi «od«ri#-
aont V *r, I* 1, P*rrl» of OiUotti rawiri J»»
tailed to *jr ott—tlaa.
flat** bt «Mn 4 tbit Kr* ft*r*it
|l 0 Md fra* tbo Marti Bwnnw of ImroitifutloB
<ta Aocumt ), 1935* iad tbit X biro ao control
Otar hit tttititlii.
* -
Truati&f thU will folly wnw your
lnc(ulx7, X aa
Sinitrily yo-uri.
jf» Higa/ Hoov'jT' ,
/oho Sdjtr
KUaatorw
CQVMIM0AT50NS StSTiON
liAluSO
MAY 2 31935
»•, M.
8WWU 01 on,
<j j. rv*r*t(>»t.ri of mst't
/
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Mr. N»th»n.... V...
Mr. T«Ia«>-
Hr. Bwigiun** -
CUtfCWrk-
J'J
MW Coffey....
Mr. SdWirfi.
Mr. Egta..
Mr. Fomrtli.
°£- Qt*« s£c <-x- \ , -
•w cJu^cL fA / -°v ^' "***■'• 0i : BS£==
^ ycSx^Jz-
0 ) t Jbjjfcln- —« ref*.
l ^ j Mr. Quinn. t
V - 6 > ^ 3(0
f\ t ^ ' | *&- Trs*?'. f
&Otsv- c-e<_> ^L<? _ I
; Mr. Jntrph -
j Mr.Krftb-.—
'^iZjr******?
I Mr. Quinn.
j<UKs<r C-<2-0
Ssa Caa« 3 y—
-v <r\rtJLS X.
KSOORDCO
' a><fetiLy 1 isxjL'fu
1936 ,-•.».
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,fiX*<LAsc^> a^J! -t«_c<
qJl4*As6 ^ '^ca^ > ^^C^lAaoJ ?* Cbfl -C$
C&£ cc^jd? -^Co
JL-^iaS ^ot>^tL.cl^ Jlu-^ Atsrltsz/ «S ^Uistxr.
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^0H\s<a 2 ^cA^Cc^t •
/>*isr*^t~ ^CZ -^UAJiJ -C^- -
«w _<^ .
t* *
(
i
Former G-Man and Nemesis of Gangdom.
YX THEN the rataplan of gunfire
V V hushed, Public Enemy Number 1 lay
sprawled on*the street. This gangster s.
‘swift justice at the hands of law and order
•marked the beginning of the end.for one
of the most vicious gangs in the history of
.crime. And in this spectacular man hunt,
as in most others, scientific skill and dose
attention to detail played leading parts.
These are the similarities between the <
‘manufacture of Gillette Blades and crime
detection, although I didn’t denow this
until my recent inspection trip through
the Gillette.factory. Previously I had
taken razor blades for granted. I couldn t
■imagine the scientific skill, expert wafts*,
manship andjtremendous care that is lav-:
ished bn the Gillette Blade.
T saw thirds op my visit, to the factory
Ithat are almost unbelievable. Yes, I saw
wonders that a non-scientific mind simply
cannot grasp. The automatic control
mechanism on. the electric hardening
' furnaces positively awed me. In these
furnaces the world’s finest steel is treated
I with more heat or less heat as required
for utmost uniformity with the correct.
. standard. This system alone was evolved.
, at a best of many thousands of dollars
and years of research and labor.
Familiar as lam "with. the. microscope
I was greatly impressed with Gillette s
constant use of this scientific instrument
to assure perfection.in the finished prod-.
uct. I marvelled at a photoelectric device
j ....i:__ j •L-. mfts.oires the
sharpness of the oiaae edges,
the skilled technicians who keep the huge
grinding machines im tune.. These machines.
weigh four tons each and can be adjusted
to a fineness of 1/10,000 of an inch.
Most impressive of all is the precision,
of every operation. A trip through the
factory is a revelation to. one .who a PP. re_:
ciates accuracy and meticulous attention
to detail. More than that, a man leaves
the Gillette plant with a feeling of grati¬
tude to these experts who have the drop
. on Public Nuisance No. i—* these Gillette,
scientists who have made the removal of
unsightly bristles so much easier and more,
comfortable for every man.
With these important facts before you, why let anyone
deprive you of shaving comfort by selling you a sub¬
stitute] Ask for Gitlette Blades and be sure to get them.
GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR COMPANY, BOSTON, MASS.
< ) ■ 'i
X £
RCHiPED lay M* 1936* 0 ^
%/
Mr* l» B* Xarvia,
Post Office Box 921*
Karahflold p Dragon*
Door Mr* Jarriai
1ati , ^ raaaiaad jw loiter of May S,
mm mm to aacpraaa *y ita war i appreciation
for yoar thoughtfulnaoa la vrltteg to axteni your
coagrate lat i oao on tela Boraaa*a raoant good fas
tena la apprahandlng aajor erlaimla*
It la ladoad aooouragixg to racaiva
Mte aa axproaalonaf ooafldoaaa and X Mop# that
otir mrfc will ooatiana to nerlt your approval*
Mite boat wiahaa and kind ragarda, X aa
Sincaraly yours*
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(
San Francisco HESTS.
April 27 , 1936
Desperadoes iBurn, '©ver; -ill Their Graves’
As ;Bums, Retired ^Man,. tGoes^Sbde^
Ex-Ace 'Sleuth for; Uncle
Sam'Drops His’Grixn r
Ways and Looks
, "The, hind which directedth© guns
which .cut i down ■- the .nation's public
enemies'No.'-i as rapidly as new can-
didates for, the douhtrul honor arose
[is fingering the slim stems or cocktail
'glasses now, ■
■ Toe slim shoulders, which once sup-
:ported ; holsters .carrying deadly guns
>are rdraped * today., in 'formal-black
■ cutaways, tn slinky, tuxedos that, are
the perfection oi .the tailor’s art. , .
.■The evidence' is here,’ and It shows
Mtlvin-Purvis, the G-marFNo. 1 of
.the Pillinger.-Pretty Boy Floyd-Baby
Face .Nelson era,'has gone "society.,
1 'What V Change!* 1 '' '.
it's enough to make DUUnger. the
r tough guy" Purvis out-toughed, turn
in his'grave. ; Floyd and;Nelson also
i might: turn, too,'Xor ; the grim "crirn-
Hnal investigator”,; who pursued, them
■ $d relentlessly has laid aside the ways
that? are- r dark, and secret'and has
taken i up ‘the. bright, .lights or, San
(Francisco’sswank social whirl.
. 'The Raymond Welches g*v» t "Ht-
tle cocktill party”.the other day.for
the'Count'-and (Countess;Marc -D©
'Tristan,; shortly/before. their. depar¬
ture - top New-York,, .to 1 sail Tor *■ the
.'count’s ancestral acres In . France, $
Here to Practice taw
The .Tobins;were; there. The!Be
Oulgncs wererepresehted.-The.Hen-
rys and the'Ameses and the Haynes,
cheever CowdizvJh-arid members of
the* ChrUtensen-and ;Ea$tlandTam-
llfes- •Andt with ? them,»according; to
the * society, news', .'was-one VMelvla
'Purvis." . :
; Purvis came, to 1 Sin? Francisco- to
■ .MELVIN HORACE;PURVIS. ,
; His: hands Tit f betted around ‘ the;
' cocktail glass than around the sud- ,
machine guns he once lingered..
practice' U'a-ldfs^nought 1 an, ade-
<inate social; backgrouncRa; member. I
‘Hands -That;?Used j to>
a Pis tolNow? finger
• Cocktail ; Glasses - *
pf .an: old i south '.Carolinafamily,': a
graduate of one of the finest schools
of the. old South—to gain entry. Into
one. of; the’tightest; social? groups, in
the. country! •* ,/ . < - y
"He’s so? different Trom l what -.we
expected’"-say the;debs«, who* meet
TMelvln Horace-PsirviS.”
* l a *We -* expectedAsomeoheo brawny,
with i handyUke {hamycland i always
Scowling " 5
, i Purvis loots more the- student than
the, man-hunter... !Nbw/,at3 3i;lbe
weighs only, 127.; His face is distinctly
pale.- His hands fit better around the
coektaiV glass,than-around-the; sub¬
machine guns he once fingered; •' •
r ; Finds .Welcome. Here
s iWhen he quit theG-men: la: 1935,
Purvis. said t he.; was; going To; get < a
pipe s' *,nd; : - sit con" someone’s/ front
porch.. ■' ’ ;t'. ■-1 *A
/•-. instead ‘he came to San -Francisco
and found chairs waiting for him 1«
front of'dinner tables glittering, with'
the .wealth: that., the" Comstock Lode
the' Hawaiian i. pineapples,'- the: Hum¬
boldt redwoods - and' the: shipping, o:
the seven'seas have, brought through
the Golden Gate to Uoh Hill, and V
Peninsula, ■' „
Ku -'V \ -
-il-' .. 1
_
3'
*£Sr
kd**
*****
RCHsPSD May 29# 1936*
Mr* J* T* Burro m»,
Manager,
Salth and Bar rows Company,
Thirteenth Street# near Seventh Street,
Parkersburg, Meat Virginia*
Dear Mr* Burrows*
Receipt is acknowledged of your letter
dated May 21, 1936, in which you advise that the
, iULens Club of Parkersburg desires to obtain Mr* M* H*
Purvis, formerly eonneoted with this Bureau, as a
speaker at the Annual Parkersburg Boy Scouts Circus*
Please be advised that this Bureau has no
record of Mr* Purris* present address* He resigned
as a Special Agent on August 3, 1935*
Sinoerely yours,
John Edgar Boover,
Director*
r
, MAY 2 3 193S
> P, M.
tH )UU &JRWU Of INYESIHUm
,i $ hfPAKYliSOt'dr P>1 CE
9 . _ -_-
J<1? BURROWS, mgr.
^ - SMITH & BURROWS COIWPM1,
Phones 4035-40361
FURNACES
REGISTERS
SKYLIGHTS
MARQUISES
BOAT-PUMPS
CONDUCTORS
VENTILATORS
STCAMTABLES
EAVETROUGHS
METAL CEILING.
HEATING SYSTEMS
STEAMBOAT WORK
VENTILATING SYSTEMS
METAL ROOFING AND SIDING
SHEET METAL WORKERS
TIN, COPPER. AND GALVANIZED IRON WORK. BLOW PIPE AND
JOB WORK A SPECIALTY. GUTTER AND SPOUTING
OFFICE <» FACTORY! 13th ST„ hea. 7th ST.
A«CNT« ro»
CAREY'S
BUILT-UP ROOFING
METAL SIGNS
REPAIR WORK
BLACK SHEETS
MONEL METAL
ROLL ROOFING
CORNICE WORK
STACKS «» TANKS
METAL GARAGES
MACHINE GUARDS
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
GALVANIZED SHEETS
CORRUGATED SHEETS
WELDING AND CUTTING
TIN AND SLATE ROOFING
PARKERSBURG, W. VA.
May 21, 1936.
Department of Justice,
Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:
tV
.^5
a , * , y. The Parkersburg Lions Club is sponsoring tke r ' Q ^ a ‘"
Annual Parkersburg Boy Scouts Circus on June 11th of this ^
year, and in casting about for a stellar attractiorAfor th
forthcoming event, it occurred to us that Melvin H. Purvis
who was formerly connected with your Department and made a,
splendid record while with it, might prove to be the man wl
want for this occasion. The Circus will be attended by mid#
Mr. ..........
Mr. T.!»oa,
Mr. ......
CUtf Clerk ..........
Mr. Clef*.j—..
Mr. Ceffey
fMr< E4w»r4»
Mr.E<’£^..
Mr.Foxworth
Mr. H«rbo.
Mr. Jo«ph
Keith
Letter.
QUoa
Mr. T«as» ..
Mr.Treey...
Mite Gandy.
,, * --uv XUCL
thousands of people, and especially by many young boys who
are just in the character forming period of their Jives, and
it just occurred to the Promotion Committee that securing
Mr, Purvis for the occasion would be an innovation, as the
speakers and attractions we have had in the past years for
occasion have a Iways been taken from other walks
of life.
. . We thought we could secure Mr. Purvis» ad-
.«•«£?- oy writing direct to the Department, and if you will
forward same to us, we will communicate
direct with him in an effort to have him here on-Juno 11th.
Rooted
'Searched
> ■- el
venience, we are
... T... •
Hoping this will cause you no serious incon-*’" . Q ak
Very sincerely yours.
COMPANY,
of ^itfostigaium
JUparimmi of 3«»iite
P.0. Drawer No. 567,
San Francisco, California
May 27, 1936
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: Personal and Confidential
Re: Melvin'Purvis
This will advise that on May 25, 1936, Major
George Barker, Head of the so-called Intelligence Unit*
of the Industrial Association, San Francisco, Room 611,
Alexander Building, San Francisco, personally called
at this office for the purpose of making an inquiry
concerning former Special Agent in Charge Melvin Purvis.
For your information it may be stated that
the Industrial Association of San Francisco is an
association which gathers data pertaining to employment
conditions, and more particularly to "Red” and
Communistic activities within the ranks of employees.
The Association has rather extensive files pertaining
to known Comunists and Communistic organizations.
Major Barker stated that he had received,
from a source which he refused to disclose, instructions
to ascertain whether former Special Agent in Charge
Melvin Purvis possessed investigative ability, as well
as the necessary executive ability, to direct the
activities of a staff of investigators. Major Barker
indicated that the inquiry was possibly prompted by an
application or at least consideration of employment
of Mr. Purvis by some organization not located within _Y *
the City of San Francisco. ~ « \ r \f
Although Major Barker has been exceedingly
cooperative with this office in. the past on various
routine natters, I informed hist that I had no
infomation concerning Mr. Purvis, and suggested that
you were the proper person to contact in connection
with such an inquiry.
I understand”that Mr; Purvis#is presently
located in San. Francisco, and] possibly employed',by
the interests of.'Mr.. Williaa. Randolph#Hearst,,or by
a law fixn which represents. Mr. William Randolph
Hearst. '
Very, itruly' yours,,
Special Agent:-in Charge
(copy)
(COUPON)
Mf. »»*«K •"*««*«
Mr. Tr.l-i^a
Kr. £to^iw u ..,.
OW*f CUt* *%***>•*«*
Mr.a«se„
i.„Mr. <V>ffey ...........
■ Mr. JR.Iwar&*
l!r. JEsw.
Mf. Ftmworti* « «****«
Mr.'UwSw su«>c««a<
1 Mffc Jc**ph
. M/» *. ■*■%.**« •*«■<*•
Hr*
Hr* <&&«*,**•.......
Hf* *» »»»«Hnk»
YfcL&sft •*«»*» I****-
JUjflt ■ *>. * ■! |
MU* &*adbr,«»«» MM
Melvin Purvis
c/o -Post Toasties
Eattle Creek, Michigan
Mail this todayl
>»*,».»*> **»V* »*«*>* JH*J
I'a sending enclosed 2 Post Toasties boX-tops, for
which please send »e By official Junior G-Man Corps
badge, your Confidential Manual of Instructions,
and the catalog telling all about the SWELL FREE
GIFTS you have for fceabers of the Corps 1
Pane .John Henry Lucas (s) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Address. baisay, .S, <?....... . . . . . .
Here are. the prizes you can wint
Proving Operative's Badge and Official. Certificate
Chief Operative’s Badge .and.(Certificate
G-Man King
V'VG'
*i i **11
Autographed photo of Melvin Purvii-' r^ D y $
Melvin Purvis Official. Junior G-Mdn Fi^j^print
Invisible Writing Outfit and Cod-4-gra^^
Junior G-Man’s Official thistle. 1" “ ~ ^
L^t. /
INVESTIGATION
A. M.
-- * r>r,£
'/ ^ / '""TV
' / /
'./aa/T - 1 T
Pistol Flashlight.
Official Junior G-Man Key King
Magnifying Glass /
MELVIN PURVIS MAIL THMtfODAY! |
«to POST TOASTIES . ’
BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN w ^
I’in sending enclosed 2 Post Toasties box-topsPfor
which please send me my official Junior G-Man Corps
badge,, your Confidential Manual of Instructions,
and the catalog telling all about the SWELL FREE
GIFTS you have for members of the Corps!
Name
Address . 'Lj&tA&x&X,
y
\ ,
i
HERE ARE THE PRIZES
YOU, CAN WIN1
RovUg O ptwH Y^i Bo^gt «*4
pMclot C«rtil<of*
CkM Op«aHy.'» 8odg* on4
Corttficoto ”
' i ,
G-Wi Rwg
AvfogropM p^o «l M«M« P*rvh
M#Wr Nrvh ORkMI G-Mo*
fUgHHpri*! $•*
fftvif&J* Writing OofAt
Cqd^HpopH "*
J**k* G-MWs Oflktol WWistU
PMdFlaiUglii
OfWoI Jwlw O-Mo* K*y Ring
Mogw/yhg Okm
Jw(gf G-Mon Wok V Fob
a Aloro PMol
P G*M« Oftktol IdootUkotioo
foflo#
"Tko G-Moo'» W («twod boot)
G-Moo Soood Goo
to**-* L'TwOm ».*A-
/ f FEDERAL BUREADLOF INVESTllPlON
Room 5744
1936.
.Director
_Mr. Nathan
_Mr. Clegg
_Mr. Tamm
_Mr. Edwards
_Mr. Egan
_Mr. Quinn
_Mr. Glayin
_Mr. Douglas
.Miss Gandy
.Mr. Tracy
_Mr. Renheberge
_Mr. Joseph
.Personnel File
.Files Section
.Communications
.Miss Sheaffer
Mr. Katiaa ——
_ k
v5. -
Chiit Clark_
Mr. Clegg.
Mr. Coffey _.
Mr. Edward*.
Mr. Egan...
Mr. Foxwoz
Mr.
Mr. Joseph
Mr. Keith -
Mr. Lestoad.
■jSssmsI
Mr. ScIiilJer
Section.
Mr. Traey—
MU* faaady.
See Me
For Appropriate-Action
Send File Note and Return
Clyde Tolson
Junior G-Man Watch Fob
Siren Alarn Pistol
Junior G-Man Official Identification Wallet
"The G-Man’s Son" (a swell book)
G-Man Squad Gun
OFFICIAL JUNIOR G-MAN EQUIPMENT
*<&cd \ No*. 4—RovingOperative*gBadge
f j. \ and! Official Secret Rossport*
rl Official emblem and identification
" higher rank in the Junior G-Man
\ Corps. Badge of polished gold bronze
*" f^st* design and satin gold bronze back-
i *.*g-A * ground, etched and enameled in red
^ and blue. The Official Secret Pass¬
port identifies you as an Operative
of higher rank. After you comply
with Melvin Purvis’ special instructions in the Official
Manual. Roving Operative’s Badge and Secret Passport
will be sent/rre/or J Port Toasties box-tops.
No. S—ChieJ Operative’s Badge
pod Commission. Official insignia
of the highest rank in the Junior G- ;
Man Corps. Badge of polished gold
bronze design and satin gold bronze
background, etched and enameled
in red and blue. Official Commission
from Melvin Purvis, appointing
you to this high rank. To get the
Badge and Commission, you must
pass the examination contained in
the Official .Manual, after which
Badge and Commission will be sent
■JteeJor i Boss Toasties box-tops.
JRgfSg
.t
No. 0— G-Man Ring. 24-carat gold
finish, adjustable to any finger, with
Official Junior G-Man Corps Insignia *
embossed in center. Boys and girls alike i
will want this ring, which identifies you !
as a member of the Corps. Free Joe 4 )
Post Toasties box-tops. I
Pick out now the prizes you want most!
No. 7—Autographed Fboto o) Metvin
Purvis. Own a picture of the greatest G-
Man of them aSl Picture is t x lb inches,
suitable for framing. Get one tot your
bureau. Free Joe 2 tost Toasties box-tops.
No. S—Metvin Purvis O/ficiot Junior G-
Man Fingerprint Set. Just what you need
to help you in your Junior G-Man Practice
Drills! A complete outfit with Ifi-page illus-
trated booklet, fingerprint Record forms,
special fingerprinting ink-pad, white and
black powder to dust over prints and bring
them out. Get the facts about the famous
Bertdlon System of fingerprinting in use in
the Department of Justice and all police
bureaus! Free Jor 9 Post Toasties box-
tops.
No. 9—Invisible Writing Outfit and
Cod-a-graph. With this special set, no cne
can read the messages sent by one Junior'
G-Man to anotherl Invisible writing set in¬
cludes two yi oz. bottles, one with Invisible
Writing fluid, one with Special Developer.
Complete instructions for use. Cod-a-graph
enables you to make up your own secret
codes that cannot be deciphered by one
without the “key" you yourself select!
Free Jor 9 Post Toasties box-tops.
No. 10—Junior G-Man’s OJfitiol Whistle. Just the
thing to can the squad together! Gives a shrill, sharp
blast. Handsome nickel-silver finish, with ring attached
so whistle can be fitted Ota chain or key ring. Free Jor 9
Post Toasties box-tops.
No. U-Pistol Flashlight . A powerful 2-cell
flashlight, fitted into a replica of the G-Man’s
automatic pistol. Casts a strong beam—-lust the
thing for night duty, or for hunting for clues in
dark corners. iH inches long. Comes complete
with cells and bulb. Sent in exthong* Jor 24
tost Toasties box-tops, or it Post Toasties
box-tops and 20t in stamps or money order.
No. 12—OJfitiol Junior G-Man Key Ring.
Holds 20 or more keys. Just what every boy or
girl needs. Leather strap is 3 inches long, with
snap to fit over belt. Slotted ring is 1 H inches
in diameter. Free Jor 4 Post Toasties box-tops.
No. It—Magnifying Glass. Every Junior G-
Man will want this Magnifying Glass to search
for clues! Rim and handle finished in assorted
> colors. Glass has 2-power magnification. Will
also give a startling effect when held at a dis¬
tance-objects appear upside down! Free Jor
6 Post Toasties box-tops.
No. 14—Junior G-Man Watth Fob. Hand¬
some tanned leather strap with Junior G-Man
insignia attached. Every boy with a watch will
want to own Coe of these grand fobs! Strap is
3M inches long, with silver-effect metal buckle.
Free Jor 4 tost Toasties box-tops.
No. it — Junior G-Man OJfitiol ^^
Identification Wallet. Contains your
special Identification Card, with your
secret number. Made of handsome
heavy-duty simulated alligator skin.
Has 5 pockets, so you can carry bills,
personal cards, notes, etc. Also made to
fit Roving .Operative’s Secret Passport. Wallet is 7 inches long, 3 in¬
ches wide, with isinglass “window" on inside. Free Jor 9 Post Toasties
box-tops.
^ bio. IS—Siren Alarm Pistol. Sounds
exactly like a G-Man Squad Car speed¬
ing to the scene of the crime! Press the trigger—
the siren sounds. Styled hke an official service
revolver, 9Si inches long, with red and blue
enamel finish. Sent in exthong* Jor 22 tost
Toasties box-tops, or IS Post Toasties box-
tops and 10c in stamps or money order.
No- 17—’.‘The G-Man’s ion." A grand,
exciting book by the well-known author of
boys’ stories,' Edward O’Connor. Stanley
Sandborn is the son of a federal Agent, and
aid roads lead to crime detection in his
eventful life! This story tells of the daring
exploits of the G-Men. and Stanley’s part in
helping them round up notorious gangsters.
Sent in exthong* Jot 20 tost Toasties
box-tops, or IS Post Toasties box-tops
and 10c tn stomps or money order.
No. 19—G-Man
Squad Gun. Looks
and-sounds like the
Squad Guns used by IS
federal Agents—
and flashes sparks
when you fire it!
Absolutely harmless. Strong spring winding, set to give a steady “burst
of fire" by flint and steel sparking device. Makes the "rat-tat-tat-tat”
sound of a machine gum. Squad gun is 23 inches long, with metal finished
in yellow, red and Mack, Pine stock. Sent In exchange Jor 69 Post
Toasties box-tops, or 26 Rost Toasties box-tops and SOc in stamps
or money order.
’rci
SPECIAL
INSTRUCTIONS
FROM
Melvin Purvis
I WANT every boy and in n»y
Junior G-Man Corp* to do as I
do... Keep yourself physically At.
i want you to get plenty of sleep.
To spend all the, time you can out
in the open air and sunshine. And
to eat the food your mother teBs
you to eat. For the food you eat has
a lot to do with your strength and mental keenness.
There’s one thing in particular that X eat a lot of—and that’s Post
Toasties. One reason I eat them is because X like them—and I know
you will tool t
Post Toasties are tetter com flakes made from the sweet 1st tie
heartt of the com. where the flavor it. Each golden flake it toasted
double crisp so it keeps its crunchy goodness longer in milhor cream.
And here’s another mighty important reason why l eat Post
Toasties—and why you should, too; You’ll need a big. satisfying
breakfast to be as alert as a Junior G-Man should be. And believe
me. Post Toasties hit the Spot!
I want you to promise me that you'll eat Pott Toasties often for
breakfast. Ask your mother to get
them for you.
And save the box-tops to you can
tend for all the wonderfid free C~-
Man prizes waiting for you. Ask
your friends, neighbors and rela¬
tives to buy Post Toasties and save
the box-tops tor you toot
VAAA>V*
I ^ LOOK INSIDE AND *
Jf SEE ALL THE SWELL
FREE PRIZES
k every member of my Junior
G-MAN Corps can get!
THE BETTER CORN FLAKES
2HX—Printed in V , & A.
1 ^ (?naaam*
yf Chief SpeciobAgenMn-Chorge
* JUNIOR G-MAN CORPS
J | 1 7 - ■
^ASY IT IS TO GET
THE REGULATION EQUIPMENT. EVERY MEMBER
OT MY JUNIOR G-MAN CORPS NEEDS... AND
MANY OTHER THINGS YOU'LL WANT TO OWN!
E VERY member of my Junior G-Msui Corps—both boys and girls—should have his or her own
equipment, in order to carry on really effective work as a member of my Junior G-Man Corps. So
X have made arrangements with the makers of Post Toasties, whereby yo<u can get the things you need
without paying a cent ! See these wonderful prizes on the next page.
IMPORTANT
MAD THIS! INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE ORDERING I
| Send only tops from the S-ouhce or 13-ounee red-and*
1 yellow Post Toasties packages. (We cannot accept tops
from sample or 1-ounce restaurant size Post Toasties
packages.)
Q Print plainly your name and the address to which
premium is to be mailed.
2 Order premiums by name and number.
A Make sure yOu send the correct number of package-tops
‘ required for each premium you order.
C Send package-tops to Melvin Purvis, e/o Post Toasties,
“ Battle Creek, Mich.
JL Put correct postage on your letter. When sending box--
U tops by first Class mail, you can send 2 package-tops
for 3c, from 3 to 5 package-tops for 6c, 6 or 7
package-tops for 9c. When sending in a large number of
package-tops you can save postage by sending them by
third class mail (in an unsealed package). Third-class
mail travels slowly, so it will take longer to receive tops
and fill orders. Be sure to put your name and address on
outside of package. Do 1 not enclose letter in package,
7 In order to speed up getting your premiums, ask your
friends, neighbors and relatives to use Post Toasties and
save the package-tops for you. Post Toasties are such a
delicious breakfast treat that every one will thank you
for suggesting them!
O The offer of prizes in this catalogue, expires December
® 31, 1936. Offer good only in U. S. A.,
Q AH the prizes in this catalogue can be obtained with
' Post Toasties package-tops and without sending in any
money. WE SHOULD GREATLY PREFER THAT
YOU SECURE ALL YOUR PRIZES IN THIS WAY.
However, if you do not want to wait to collect all the
package-tops needed for some prizes, you may send in
the number of tops and the amount of money indicated
for certain prizes.
FROM
OFFICE Of director, federal bureau of investigation
OFFICIAL INDICATED BELOW BY CHECK MARK
Mr. Nathan ...
Mr. Tolson .....
tMlr. Clegg _ (rf
^lr. Appel .
Mr. Coffey .
Mr. Edwards . Y/j .\ v)
Mr. Egan ..(r'f
Mr. Foxworth ' J (vT
Mr. Glavln _M
Mr. Hartoo _
Mr. Joseph . .' (*0
.Mr. Keith __________ ( )
rkr. Lester _ {*4
Mr. Quinn ... (HE
Mr. Schilder . (/^
Mr. Tamm_ (^
Mr. Tracy _ { )
Secretary_ ( )
__ (
See Me _......._ { P
Prepare Reply _ ( ;
For Your Information _1_ ( )
Note and Return _ { )
File ___IZ-UZ ( )
i
Remarks:
to become
CHIEF
et*V
-in:
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-i- ufXt P* 6E l 1111 _■—'
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Operauvc
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cessary
/'U'.i
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and
1
EXAMINATION FOR ADVANCEMENT
TO RANK OF
CHIEF OPERATIVE
Fill In the answers and send this page, before Dec-31.1936,
with 4 Post Toasties hex-tops, to Melvin Purvis, Headquarters,
Junior G-Man Corps, do Post Toasties, Battle Creek, Mich.
Your name ...
Your street address . a .
Your city and state ..:.
Your age ...
When did you join the Junior G-Man Corps (month and year)?
What is the first rule to be observed on reaching the scene of a
crime? .
Write the Junior G-Man pass words ... .
Do two people ever have the same fingerprints? ...
If you had only two men available to watch a'house, where would
you place them?. .
Upon successfully passing this test you will receive
your Chief Operative’s Badge and Official Commission.
★
Don!t forget: Mail this page, before the expiration date, Dec. 31,1936, with
your answers and 4 PostToasties box-tops to MELVIN PURVIS, HEADQUAR¬
TERS, JUNIOR G-MAN CORPS, c;o POST TOASTIES, Battle Creek,Mich.
f 22 J
TO ALL MEMBERS OF
MY CORPS:
I want all of you to study carefully
the wonderful prizes I have waiting
for you in the Catalog which comes
with this Instruction Manual. See
how easy it is to get the Regulation I
Equipment every Junior G-Man j
needs—and many other things I
: you’ll want to own! - _ v I
Every member of my junior G-Man Corps
—both boys arid girls—should have fus or
her own equipment, in order to carry oh
really* effective work as a member of my
Junior G-Man Corps.
In order to make it easy for you to ol>
tain this equipment, I have made'arrange-
ments With the makers of Post'Toasties to
supply .tins equipment to you 'without
your having to pay j? cent/ All you have
to do is save your Post Toasties box-tops;
and send them in exchange for the equip¬
ment and prizes you Want to,own.
You will find all these grand free prizes
listed in the,.Catalog. Look them over.
Pick out the things you want most. Then
start right now saving up those Post
Toasties box-tops!
C hfat Special- Ag^nt-in-Char
Junto* G-Man Corps
© 19S6.C
FOLLOW THIS
RULE AT
BREAKFAST
TIME!
I MAKE, it a rule to eat Post
Toasties, for breakfast every
morning. I'd like you to follow the
same rule. First, because a Junior
G-Man needs a big; satisfying break¬
fast in order to be alert and on .the
job. And second—because Post
Toasties, .are the greatest .tasting
breakfast cereal, a fellow ever ate! ,
Post Toasties are better corn
flakes, made from the tender, sweet
little hearts of the corn, where most
of the flavor is. And :each golden
flake is toasted double .crisp, so it
' keeps its crunchy goodness, longer
in milk or cream.
And here’s, another mighty im¬
portant reason why you ought to
have Post Toasties, for breakfast
every .day:
Hi)
You’ll want to, begin now to save
Post Toasties, box-tops, so you can
send them away for the Official
Junior G-Man equipment and other
special FREE,PRIZES I have wait¬
ing for you. (You’ll find them all in
.the big Junior G-Man Catalog that
comes, with this Manual.) Ask your
friends, neighbors, and relatives, to,
buy Post Toasties.and save the box-
tops for you too!
(Signed),
C?VVAA>V5
Chief Special-Agent-in-Charge
Junior G-Man Corps.
from
MELVIN PURVIS
CHIEF SPECIAL-AGENT-IN-CHARGE
/jU,NIOr\\
VG-MAN/
MANUAL OF
INSTRUCTIONS
TO ALL OPERATIVES
HEADQUARTERS, JUNIOR G-MAN CORPS
BATTLE CREEK. MICHIGAN
H&ADQU A RISERS
OFFICE OF MELVIN PURVIS
C H I E F S P E C I A L - A G E N T - IN-CHARG E
JUNIOR G-MAN CORPS
BULLETIN No, X-43Y72Z
From: MELVIN PURVIS
To: ALL OPERATIVES
Subject: GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1 Your name has been'placed upon head¬
quarters records as an operative in my
Junior G-Man Corps.
2 Your Junior G-Man badge is herewith
enclosed. Hereafter you will keep it on
your person at all times.
i
3 This. Service Manual carries instruc¬
tions intended solely for members of
the Junior G-Man Corps, wherever operat¬
ing. You are expected to guard the secrecy
of this information closely.-Memorize sec¬
tions indicated.
4 Headquarters welcomes you' to the
Junior G-Man Corps and trusts that
you will guard its secrets; perform its
duties with discretion, alertness and energy;
keep physically fit; and maintain the ideals
of the organization—obedience to author¬
ity and respect for law and order.
C SPECIAL ORDER No. 1
T from MELVIN PURVIS
You are forbidden to play G-Man
games with guns, pistols, revolvers,'
knives, or any other weapon that may
cause injury. Remember especially—
you can never be sure whether or not
a' gun is loaded, and many serious,
accidents result from playing with
guns that people think are empty. So
don’t ever disobey this rule. I, person¬
ally, never carried a gun' in any in¬
vestigation. I found it hampered in-’
stead of helped my'operations in many
cases.
6 You are requested to help enlist other
boys and girls in the Junior G-Man
Corps: thereby helping to increase the
power and efficiency of the organization.
In asking your friends to'join,- however,
you’ are again cautioned to reveal none of
the secrets of the Junior G-Man Corps.
(Signed)'
'SSM&uOvv wurw
Chief Special-Agent-in-Charge
'■)
A SPECIAL GREETING
TO ALL JUNIOR G-MEN
FROM
MELVIN PURVIS
AS,MOST of you boys and girls know, I
XX was a G-Man for the United. States,
Government for a good many years. Fight¬
ing crime and all disobedience of authority
and law and order has been my job.and my
responsibility—just as„it is now your job
and your responsibility ,as,a member of my
Junior G-Man Corps,
I want to,extend to you—each one of you 1
—my heartiest personal welcome into, an
organization 1 of which you can be very
proud; And l want to congratulate you for
.taking on the responsibility of aiding in the
.enforcement ,of your .country’s laws.
You will find in your work, just as I have
in mine, that disobedience of the law never
pays. When you have mastered the ma¬
terial in this Manual (which is the same
sort of material, .that every,G-Man uses in
PLEDGE FOR JUNIOR G-MEN
Every member must take the following pledge
and do his utmost to,obey it.,The pledge is to be
repeated ,by all members,,at ,the .opening ,of all
meetings:
“/ pledge myself to.obey the Jaws of my
country, my state, and my pity, and to .re¬
spect and cooperate with.all those inauthor¬
ity. I further pledge myself to keep strong
,and fit tor,all duties.of the Corps,at all times.
' “I take ,this solemn( pledge as part,of my
service to the Corps,,and to, the ideals, for
which, it stands,"
m
fighting crime), you will, begin to realize
what tremendous chances the law-breaker
takes. You will see how impossible it is for
anyone to, "get away" with crime for very
long, even though he may seem to momen¬
tarily. The vigilance of the law, is Unceas¬
ing: Sooner or later ,the guilty are .caught
and punished.
And remember this: A good G-Man.
keeps, himself fit. You .can’t be a good G-
Man unless you watch your health and, do,
the things that keep you alert. So, X;want
every boy and girl in, my Junior G-Man
Corps to get plenty .of sleep. Spend all the
time you can out in the .open air and sun¬
shine. Eat the food your mother tells you,
to eat. ( Signed)
SECRET CODES AND SIGNALS
You are ordered to memorize the follow¬
ing Junior G-Man Codes and Signals
IDENTIFYING SIGNATURE OF A MEMBER OF THE JUNIOR G-MAN
CORPS. It is used in signing secret letters or whenever a member wants
to'give proof that he belongs to the Junior G-Man Corps. It may also be
chalked.on,sidewalks, etc., by a Junior G-Man as proof to,fellow-members
,of hissquad that .he has passed that Way. Note that this code signature,
which comprises, the initials of Melvin Purvis, is made in one Unbroken
line.
THE SECRET PASSWORDS. The Official .Secret Passwords are given,
whenever one G-Man'wants to. make sure that another person is also a
G-Man. The first G-Man’ whispers the letters/ 1 "J.G.” Whereupon the
other .G-Man answers, “M.C.” These,,of courseware the initials of the
Junior .G-Man, Corps, The passwords, are never to, be spoken above a
whisper. They are also used, when .admitting people,to. Secret Meetings,
of G-Men.
THE SECRET WHISTLE. All Junior G-Men must practice .until perfect
this, official, secret whistle: One short whistle followed immediately by
two long ones. When .one G-Man is within calling distance of another,
but out of sight, and wants to call the other member, he gives the Secret
Whistle. The other members will, immediately respond With .the same
whistle.
THE "DANGER” CODE SIGN. "To he used only if a member fs in danger
and wants help. Place this' sign on a, piece of paper or upon anything
else; send it to a fellow Junior G-Man or leave it where he can see it. It
.means: “Rush .help as quickly as you can, I am in great danger.” This
sign is to be used only in cases of emergency, and any member,of .the
.Corps finding such ,a sign shall take immediate steps to, answer the
appeal for help.
SPECIAL TRAIL SIGNS. In addition, to chalking the Identifying Signature oh the side¬
walk, there are many other methods of informing fellow members of the Corps that you
have travelled, in a certain direction. These signs are determined by the type,of country
in, which you are operating. Pot example, in brush country, twigs bent in a certain direc¬
tion inform, those following which way you are going; in timber country, a small mark
made on, trees with ,a pocket-knife; in grass country, tufts, of grass may be twisted,
together and bent in the direction taken; and on rocky ground, a small rock placed on
top of a larger rock says as plainly as a signboard, “I„have come this way."
Codes for detailed messages will be found
further on in this Manual. You are under orders
to guard the secrecy of all Codes' and Signals.
U1
•HOW T# ORGANIZE A LOCALf QUAD
OF JUNIOR G-MEN
Presenting Opere tionsReporta . One of the important function* of a Junior G-Man
U to present, in meeting* a report of his operations In tine of duty since the previous
meeting. This is not ©nJy essential for maintaining the records of the Squad, but is
Very valuable training to enable you to set down,<Seajrly and,-concisely an acoount of
your activities in any line of work.
«
ELECTIONS: A full squad consists.of.eight MEETINGS: Meetings shall be held once
members, just ,as asquad in the army does, each week, preferably on Saturday. Gen-
Butit,may have fewer. After you.and your cral Headquarters may be set up in any
friends have received your badges and man- convenient place—in an empty basement
uals, you must vote for a,Speeial-Agent-in- room in the home of one of the members, or
Charge. It is best to elect a Special-Agent- in a vacant lot, or in someone's back yard.
in-Charge each, week to serve for one Sometimes in order to maintain secrecy,
week at a time. In the Federal Bureau of and to avoid being trailed and discovered.
Investigation I have often seen special it is* best to change the place of meeting
agents rise from the ranks to positions of each week. Meetings must always be abso-
great responsibility, due to their training lutely secret. Only members of the Junior:
in administrative work. G-Man Corps are allowed to attend. They
must give the Password before enter-
DUTIES OF SPECIAL-AGENT-IN-CHARGE: ink. Records should be .kept of all meetings
The,Special-Agent-in-Charge has.charge of —attendance hoted. reports made on all
the calling of meetings, arranging for and gamcs ^ drills. Remember, all records
directing of drills, and is responsible for the must be kept secret.
.carrying out of all my general instruc¬
tions. (See Page 2.) EMERGENCY CALLS: Whenever the
The Special-Agent-in-Charge must ar- Special-Agent-in-Charge deems it ad vis-
range and direct the pursuit of the guilty able, he may send out an Emergency Call
parties by his Junior G-Man Squad, see to to meet at Headquarters. All who can at-
it that no clue is Overlooked. When there tend must do so. Emergency Calls are sent
are no trails, the Special-Agent-in-Charge out only when some special situation arises
. may tell his men to bring in such-and-such requiring swift action by several Junior
ka suspect for questioning. G-Men together.
I t*3
Examining a "Suspect” tot Clues. Alw»y« Inspect th* clothing of the »u»pect thoroughly; look over hi*
•hoc* for trace* of Mud, gra*s-»tain*, etc* indicating that be might have been at the acene of the crime.
Always take the fingerprint*,of the *u*pect, to *ee if they correspond to any fingerprint* which knight have
been left at the scene of the crime. Suspect*,are also submitted to,cross-examinatkn,by the Special-Agent-
in-Charge.
If the Guilty Squad wins, they must
then point out to the G-Man Squad the
clues that were left.
A time limit should be set in advance
during which the G-Man Squad must find
the clues and decide which is the Guilty
Person. If they Cannot do it within that
time, they Jose.
TRAINING FOR ADVANCEMENT
In our government service we had many
practice drills like this and Used them as
definite training for advancement-We made
as many clues as possible tie Up with the
material we learned in the course of our
study. This is something you should do in
your practice drills. You’ll find your Exam¬
inations for Advancement to the grade of
Roving Operative and Chief Operative fur¬
ther on in this manual—the Roving Oper¬
ative examination on page 20; the Chief
Operative examination on page 22.1 hope
that all of you will soon become eligible for
Roving Operative and Chief Operative
badges.
SPECIAL GIRLS’ SQUAD
Some ofthe greatest government operatives
in^history have been women. I have often
found it highly desirable to have a squad
composed entirely of girls. That is why
there is a special badge for the Girjs* Di¬
vision of our Corps. Girls* squads operate
in exactly the same way as boys' squads.
Naturally, girls can be included and op¬
erate to good advantage in all practice
drills with boys’ squads. There aye special
* cases in which.only a woman operative can
handle the situation—such as “covering”
a tea-room, women’s club, or women’s
clothing store.
7J
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLVIN<®CRIMES
AND APPREHENDING CRIMINALS *
(Every Junior G-Man is to study this section most carefully)
E VERY Junior G-Man in my Corps
must train himself to be observing.
Me must notice things that other people
overlook. Such observation .often reveals
important “clues.”_It is through careful
observation of small and apparently un¬
important things that crimes areunfaveled.
I therefore charge every member of my
.Corps with the duty of developing his,
power of observation.
The first rule of all G-Men is:
Do Not Touch Ariiy thing at the,Scene
of the Crime.
Study every*object you find, but do not
touch it. If in the course of duty you must
pick up something ,
.drop a handker¬
chief over the
object before you
pick it up. Other¬
wise you may de¬
stroy valuable fin¬
gerprints. If some-
thi.ng is found
lying in a certain
place, the exact place must be marked
before the object is picked up.
Important Clues Every Junior ''
G-Man Must Watch For
*FINGERPRINTS: Look closely at a smooth
object that has been handled. You can
Usually see faint prints of fingers. No two
people have fingerprints just alike.
They can never be disguised- Examine all
prints carefully; if they are on a dark sur¬
face, sprinkle them with flour or face pow¬
der; if they are on a light surface sprinkle
♦The official Melvin Purvi* fingerprint *et for
.members of the Corps is shown in, .the .Catalog of,
prises sent with your Manual.
with soot or pow¬
dered pencil lead.
Gently blow away
the surplus pow¬
der. You will see
the print sharp
and clear.. (More
about fingerprints,
on page ,1,8.)
FOOTPRINTS: Note their sire; whether
they were made by a man, or woman.
Measure the distance between the foot¬
prints. Then measure the distance between
your own footprints. By comparison, a
Junior G-Man will be able to. tell about
how tall the person was who made the
prints. The taller the person, the farther
.apart the footprints.
Notice how deep, the prints are. Heavy
persons make deeper prints than light per¬
sons. If the prints are close together and
deep, you can be sure the person was heavy
or fat, or carrying some heavy object.
If the toes dig into the earth, the person
was running. Look for impressions of rub¬
ber heels, etc. This will tell you What kind
of shoes were worn,
WRITTEN MESSAGES: In Working on a
case, a Junior G-Man must search the
scene carefully for scraps of paper on
which.a revealing message—or fragment of
Wha t peculiar i ty do you ndte hero,t ha t plight
help you find the wtitet of t.he message?
KEE 1 «s t 0K1QK T by T EB 0U> HR* T K£S
^a ijiejss^e -*■ m'a^^ [' I'fUT ^^B!!L THINGS LEFT BEHIND^ Uways examine
be written. . S the scene of a crime ve^^ftirefully. Note
.thecharacterofthe ? f h any article, however unin^fortant it seems,
waiting or print- j Keepit for further examination,
ing. If themessage For example: buttons, or shreds of cloth-
is typewritten, / a [J\/ ing are often caught on something and left
look for broken behind. Look also for cigarette stubs, gum
letters, etc., which M ) wrappers, bits of twine, hair, etc. I cannot
will give youaclue emphasize too strongly the importance of
as to typewriter used. No two,typewriters Junior G-Men noticing little things,
wtite exactly the same.
BLOTTERS: Examine blotters by holding
a mirror next to the blotter and reading the
writing in the mirror. Writing on blotters is
backwards. In the mirror it becomes per¬
fectly readable.
FORGERIES:
Forgers write up¬
side down When
they make forger¬
ies. Therefore, if a
G-Man thinks a
signatureisforged,
he comparesit up¬
side down with the true signature. XI it
is exactly the same, he is sure it is a
forgery, because nobody ever writes ex¬
actly the same.
Below is a map made,of a room by an observ¬
ant G-Man before anything was touched.
Make map like this on your own Cases and
make sure of missing no.clues.
Here is an instance of deduction that
helped to solve a hard case. An escaping
prisoner, disguised as a woman,; Was cap¬
tured when a keen-eyed G-Man noticed
that he was trying to button his.coat on the
right, as a man does, instead of on the left,
as a Womandoes. This operative knew that
a woman’s (or girrs) coat-buttons are
on the.opposite side from a man’s.
Observation Test for all
Junior G-Men
Junior G-Men are required to know more
about the things,around them than av¬
erage persons. Do you.know how many but¬
tons there are on your shirt? Do you know
how many panes of glass there are in the
windowsof your home? You have looked at
all of these things many times. But the
chances are you have never really' noticed
them.
I want all my Junior G-Men to' learn to
notice every little detail. And the way todo
Look at this picture one minute. How many objects do you remember1
this is to trainyourself. Study everything
carefully. Walk past a shop window, look
inside for a minute, then see how many
things you can remember.
On this page (above) is.a picture. It’sthe
type of observation test used in training G-
Men in Washington. Study it for one min¬
ute (as long as it takes you to count slowly
to 60). Then cover up the picture and see
how many, of the objects you can remember.
If you can remember
8 of them you are
very observing. If 5,
you are just average.
If less than $, you
will have to work
hard to train your
powers of 'observa¬
tion. And you can, if
you just keep trying.
This power of ob¬
servation is important
not ernly in finding
clues and remember¬
ing people—I have
found it especially
valuable in noticing
Vrhenthingsarepot
as they should be.
Observation Test by Squads
Members of the Junior G-Man Corps are
tO practice this drill. It is highly Valuable
training. Take your squad at ordinary
walking pace past a row of parked Cars.
Pick out any three to study. Each squad
member makes a list of what he saw as
he walked past. (Make of cars, license
plates, nicked fenders, things left on seat,
et.C.). Eater on the
Special - Agent - in-
Charge checks up to
see whose list is the
largest and most cor¬
rect. It is surprising to
see what people put
in the list, as well as
What they leave out;
often, a list will con¬
tain two or three ob¬
jects that Were never
there at all,I With
practice, you can be¬
come very adept at
observing at a glance
things people without
Junior G-Man train¬
ing would overlook.
lib)
Bear in mind this fact about disguise Which
I learned, as a G-Man; it need hot be very
elaborate, with false whiskers,stage“make-
up/’.etc. Somedisguises do .use such things;
but we in government service found that
Usually such disguises arc so freakish and
unnatural.they attract attention instead
of averting it. The following ways are out¬
lined for Junior G-Men to disguise them¬
selves simply—yet .not be recognized ex¬
cept by dose observation.
Study yourself. You have certain char¬
acteristics, and you must remember that it
is,by these things that people recognize you.
It is these characteristics you must attempt
to change.
Suppose you are fairly tall, hold yourself
straight, and take long, swift strides. When
you.do not Wish,to be recognized you should
stoop a little, and" walk With a slouch, YoU
will find, too, that you have certain habits
of dressing; by changing these,only slightly,
you. Will make a very effectual disguise. If
you usually wear a cap, change to.a hat be¬
fore going out. If most of your neckties are
tied.in.a bow-knot, switch,to a four-in-hand.
Another highly effective disguise for Ju¬
nior G-Men; is a change of caps. Suppose
you are being followed. You are wearing a
1 C
cap which is dark bi^^: Now #you„turp
a corner quickly. shc^^ie dark brown cap,
into your pocket and put on another of en
entirely .different color, you have an excel¬
lent ohance of making a leisurely getaway.
REMEMBER: these disguises are NOT
supposed to,enable the operator to pass un¬
detected among people who know him and'
are Watching for him. But the Use of these
methods Wild- keep.a Junior G-Man, from
being recognized at a passing glance.
How to Surround a House in
Which a Suspect is Hiding
It sometimes happens .that a suspect will,
take refuge in a dwelling house, intending
to,make his.escape through some other door
or window;. When the Special-Agent-in-
,Charge of the pursuers has .enough of a
force, it is .easy to station, ,a man, at .each
door or window, with instructions to watch.
But it is also possible to, “surround”- a
house with only two men. .Simply place
yourself at onedorner and the .Other Junior
G-Man at the diagonally opposite corner,
like this:
You can see that the two, watchers have
"covered” every exit, and a ,cry from. one
will, bring the other at once.
3
i
. Insiructiojttfor Shadowing
sBpects
Members of the Corps, often .find It neces¬
sary tofiolloW, or “shadow’ ’ a suspect—as G-
Mert call it—without letting him fcnow lie
is being followed. All members of the Ju¬
nior G-Man Corps should,follow these rules:
1. Keep as FAR from your man as possible
without losing sight of him.
,2. DO, NOT try to hide if suspect turns,
around. That would make him suspi¬
cious. Keep on about your business.
3..If the suspect should succeed jr* getting
on board a vehicle and leaving you be¬
hind. BE SURE, to get the number of
the taxi, or destination of bus or car.
,4. If suspect goes into a building, take its,
number and location and report to.head-
quarters. Another man, may be sent to
relieve you if the suspect makes„a long
stay; again, the address may be all, the
information, that is needed.
Using Special Talents
of Squad Members
Junior G-Men will often find it difficult to
“cover” a certain house or barn, or vacant
lot, without arousing suspicion. In such,
cases a member of the squad shall, be se¬
lected who can create a reasonable excuse
for being in the vicinity. For instance, the
squad member might ,own' a bicycle. He
.could,’easily pretend to be pumping up, a
tire and, thus, without creating suspi¬
cion, be able ,tO keep,close tab,on all activ-
itiesinthe suspicious neighborhood. Among
our G-Men we numbered .different voca¬
tions and special talents, such as musician,
mechanic, singer, painter, .etc. For almost
any emergency we had someone who,could
cover the case without arousing suspicion.
It is necessary for all G-Man Squads, who
want to operate most efficiently to, keep a
careful, list of all special talents of its,
members.
What To Do If You Are Followed
If a member of the Corps has reason to be¬
lieve that someone is watching or following
him, here is a ;quick, sure way of finding
out. Immediately upon spotting the in¬
dividual, suspected, the Junior G-Man! shall »
move in as many .different directions in as,
quick succession as possible.. •, turn, sharp¬
ly down streets, first in. one direction and,
then in another. If he is followed in these
random moves, he may,be sure he is being -
“shadowed.”
I want my Junior G-Men to use a similar
method of training in this respect to that
used 5n government service. One Junior
G-Man !will trail another .without telling
him about it—later checking back to see if
he has been "spotted.”’
utr
1
SELFtPROTECTIONfOR
JUNIOR G-MEN
All Members, of The Corps are to Practice the Following
Methods of Self Defense as Part of Their Regular Training.,
BREAKING THE WAIST HOLD. If a per¬
son seizes a. Junior G-Man around the
waist, as shown in the picture, his captor
may think he has him secure. Vet St is
quite easy to get away.
I 1
1 _ Merely clasp the hands together and
push up against and under captor’s chin.
' The harder he holds on, the more his head,
is pushed back. He is compelled to let go.
' With a little practice all, Junior G-Men
i will be able to execute this perfectly.
THE COAT-LOCK. This enables a Junior
G-Man to tie up his opponent’s .arms, in
such, a way that his arms are powerless. I
have often used this trick in my encounters
with criminals.
Stand facing your opponent, as shown in
the picture below at left. Then suddenly
seize with both hands,his coat at the lapels.
Quickly flip the,coat back over his.shoul-
ders and pull down. As you can, sec in the
picture, his arms are snugly "tied” and, he
is powerless, either to grab or hit you.
THE SLEEVE HOLD. Usually used by de¬
tectives,,and police. It is one of the most
secure holds known and very* difficult from
which to escape.
^ Insert your thumb under the sleeve, give
it a sharp twist leaving your four fingers to
grasp the sleeve from the outside. The coat
sleeve Is then twisted, about your thumb
and secured by the fingers so that it is not
easy for the suspect to slip away.
1141 —
SCCRET
CODES
SECRET CONVERSATION CODE
V
It is,important that G-Men be able to,com¬
municate ideas when outsiders are around
them, without letting anyone else know
what they mean. In order toido this I have
devised the following “conversation-code.” 1
It enables Junior G-Men to exchange im¬
portant information while apparently mak¬
ing the most casual, sort of conversation.
The key lies in the fact .that you make
statements Whichsound like simple,truths.
You thus arouse no suspicion in the minds
of listeners.
Alf Junior G-Men, should learn and
practice the following code as soon as
they receive badge and credentials.
First, the code signal which means “I’m
going to start using the conversation-
code.” It is: “We don’t always mean What
we say.” This, should .be hidden, in some
casual sentence such as, “Say, I was read¬
ing in a magazine the,other day about how
everybody’s at least purely crazy. But I
guess we don’t always mean what we say.”
Or, “Mary Smith .told me she wouldn’t
speak to Joe Brown again as long as she
lived. But we don’t always mean what we
say.”
The reply to.this, Which means “I under¬
stand. Go, ahead,” is, as follows—“Pretty
nearly always,” these three words, no
more and no less, with nothing added
either in front or after.
When you have stated that you, are
going to, use the conversation-code, and
have received the “I understand” code
reply, you' can make use of the following
signs:
1. Any remark about the weather—“We
are being watched.”
2. Any remark about clothes—“Stay
with me.”
3. Any remark (not a, question) about
books—“Don’t stay, with me.”
4. Any question about books—“Do you;
need help?”
5. Yes or no ,to, this, question—"Yes, I
do.” or “No.” 1 _
6. Any question about school—“Are you
on a, case?” .
7. Yes, or no, ,to, this .question—“Yes, I
am,” or “No, I’m not.”
Let us suppose two Junior G-Men meet
in a crowd. Neither is quite sure what the
other is,there for, and there may be enemies
in the group. Junior G-Man A says, “Hello,
Jimmie!” and Junior G-Man B naturally
replies “Hellol What arc you doing here?”
The conversation then goes like this:
A: “Oh, Billy Taylor promised to meet
me here half an hour ago. I guess, We don’t
always mean what We say.”'
I
B: "Pretty nfarlyg^ays.”
A: "Well; maybe^Jrre right. Anyway
■■ he hasn’t shown up yet. Well... Did you
have trouble with, the test in school last
j week?”
B: "Yes, 1 did."
■ A,: “That’s too bad. Have you read any
, new books lately?”
f B:“No.”
A: "H’m, Nice weather we’re having,
isn’t it?”
B: “Certainly is. Well, it probably won’t
last- Speaking of weather, we have a book
at our house that tells all about,It-”
A,: "Is that so? Well, I’ll have to borrow
it some time. Well, so long.”
, B: "So long!”
'■ That certainly sounds like idle talk to
; pass the time. But these two Junior G-
j Men have actually had, the following con-
!, versation:
j! A: "I’m going to start using the con*
| versation-code.”
' B: “I Understand'. Go ahead.”
| A: “Are you on a case?”
B: "Yes,”
A: “Do you need any help?”
j B: “No.”
> A,: "We are being Watched.”
| B*. “Don’t stay with me.”'
1 After which the two .G-Men part Without
anyone’s knowing that they have actually
i told each other everything they need to
know.-
You; Will be surprised how .easily these
, seven signals work into conversation, and
1 how Useful they can be to a Junior G-Man
' on duty.
i ' -
SECRET WRITING CODE
\ Following is the official Secret Writing
W Code of the Junior G-Man Corps. The,code
'.is to be used between members whenever
Vthere is, need for secrecy and a possibility
'that the message may fall into enemy
/hands. Be sure to keep this.code,absolutely
/ 1
confidential. Here is how ,tit;
I,. Write the message wit^^P words all
run together. If you wanted to say, for in¬
stance, "Meet Me Tomorrow Evening,”
you, would, write it—
MEETMETOMORROWEVENING '
2. Write below each letter the letter that
comes immediately AFTER it in thealpha-
bet. You would code MEET, for instance,
like this:
MEET
NFFU
If you should have to write the letter Z,
you would write under it the letter A.
3. Copy the lower line of letters—and
there you are. “Meet me tomorrow eve¬
ning” Would look like this:
NFFUNFUPNPSSPXFWFOJOH «
To .decode a message received in, this
form, of secret writing, you would simply
copy the message as you received it; and
write Under each letter the letter that
comes immediately BEFORE it in the
alphabet.
With, a little practice you can code and
decode such messages very rapidly; at the
same time youcan be sure that such a mes¬
sage, falling into unauthorized hands, will
prove completely baffling.
ALTERNATE LETTER CODE
To Use this simple code, you send two mes¬
sages instead of one. In the first message
you include the first letter of the first word,
and then.,every other letter, alternately in
order, in every word of your message. Your
second message includes the letters, you
left out of the first message in correspond¬
ing order;. The receiving Junior G-Man
simply puts, them together and thus de¬
codes the message.
For insynze, suppose you Wanted to
say, “I att|$ the old Haunted House.”
You would first write the message like this:
IAMINTHEQX.DHAUNTEDHQUSE
Then starting with first letter of the first
word and alternating as follows you have
your first message with, the numeral 1 at
the beginning:
1IMNHQUDANEHUE
Then you Would write the remaining
letters in your second message, beginning
with the numeral 2, as follows:
2AITELHUTDOS
The,receiver puts,them,together like this:
1IMNHODANEHOE
2AITEEHOTDOS
And writes out the message as follows:
IAMINTHEOLDHAUNTEDHQUSE
Thus the message is quickly broken up
into separate Words and is easily readable.
TELEPHONE CODJ^. ~ i-. i
Sometimes I hav^JInd it impossible to
talk directly over the phone at all. . . for
fear an enemy may be listening in. In such
cases I use a;special code, which I herewith
transmit to all members of the Junior G-
Man Corps. To use this code, simply tap
with pencil or fingernail on the telephone.
The Junior G-Man receiving the call will
pay noattention to theWordshe fieats,
but listen to the taps.
Each squad is to devise its own Code.
Here are some suggestions:
"Hello, Tommy. Want to go to the
movies?”
(2 taps—meaning “Danger.”)
“Sure, how soon?”
(2 taps, pause 3 taps—meaning "I’ll
come at once.”)
“Oh, in about an hour or so.”
(3 taps—meaning “No. Stay where you
arc.”)
“OK, I’ll see you then, good-bye.”
(2 taps, pause, 2 taps—meaning “Give
warning to Headquarters.”)
HOW TO JUDGE
AND
COMPARE FINGERPRINTS
I WANT to impress on every member of
my Corps these two facts: 1. No two
persons have the same set of finger¬
prints. 2. A suspect can be positively
identified by the prints he leaves.
That is' why G-Men place so much stress
on the rule, “NEVER touch anything on
the scene of the crime without using hand¬
kerchief, gloved hand or tweezers.”
It is important that all G-Men should
have at least a working knowledge of the
different types of fingerprints.
You would think that all the millions of
different fingerprints In the world would be
impossible to classify; but it'is a fact that
EVERY fingerprint Will fall under one of
FOUR classes. These are:
If you learn these four types you will
have a good start toward the real science
of fingerprint identification.
Special Instructions
For Obtaining Fingerprints
Notice what smooth surfaces suspect
touches with his fingers — such as a
smooth table-top or a pane of glass. By
keeping careful watch you are fairly cer¬
tain of getting a specimen of his finger¬
prints. They are invisible until brought out
by dusting with powder. (The official
Melvin Purvis Fingerprint Set for members
of the Corps is shown in the catalog of
prizes sent with your Manual.)
If you can borrow some smooth article
which the suspect carries you Will be pretty
sure to get a good set of prints.
(See additional information about fingerprints on Page 8)
SECRET JKVISIBLUKRITING
The Invisible Writi^^Rethod is to be used
in connection with code-writing whenever
unusual secrecy is necessary. There are two
methods Junior G-Men may follow. First,
the paper containing the message may ap¬
pear to be perfectly blank; second, it may
have a perfectly innocent message with the
real message, which is invisible, written
between the lines.
Best results are obtained by using the
official Junior G-Man Mystery Writing
Outfit shown in the prize catalog sent with
your copy of this Manual.
However, until you get your official
outfit, plain milk, or lemon juice, can be
used for invisible writing. Whittle a wood¬
en match stick to a point and use this as
a pen.
The writing is done by dipping the pointed
match stick into milk, then writing your
message upon paper with the milk. When
the milk has,dried, no Writing will.be visible.
When using milk or lemon juice, the per¬
son receiving the secret message holds the
paper over a.hot stove, acandle, or wrapped
around an electric light. Caution: paper
must not be close enough to burn, yet close
enough for the paper almost to scorch. As
the paper becomes hot, the secret message
suddenly appears on the
In sending messages w^^Bi with in¬
visible writing, it is necessary - to let the re¬
ceiver know that the paper must be
“treated" to bring out the real message.
When message is mailed, this can easily be
done by putting on the stamp;upside down.
Otherwise a small X in the lower left-hand
corner of the paper may be used. When
message is to be brought out by heat treat¬
ment, the word “Heat” should be included
in the fake message. If this word is not
included, the receiver will know that it is
to be brought out by the Developer Fluid
in the Official Mystery Writing Outfit.
Important: Junior G-Men should sub¬
mit all messages, or pieces of blank paper'
that fall into their hands, to the Heat Test,
then the Developer Treatment. Innocent¬
looking pieces of paper may sometimes
contain a hidden message that will unravel
a baffling mystery.
HANDWRITING
Pay special attention to the handwriting
of any notes or fragments of messages that
fall into your hands in the course of your
investigations. Even though the handwrit¬
ing be disguised, it is often possible, by
close study, to discover the author. This is
because all people have certain peculiari¬
ties in the way they write, and no matter
how they try to disguise them, hints of
their special Way of writing will creep into
the formation of Certain letters.
As training for this branch of Junior
G-Man work, I suggest that you study
closely your own and your friends* hand¬
writing. How do you make the letter G—
with a long, open loop below, or a shorter,
slim one? Do you make the letter P with
an open or a closed loop? How do you
write K? Study these and all other things
relating to handwriting closely. You never
know when such study is going to come in
mighty handy.
m
PROMOTION TO HIGHER
RANKS IN THE CORPS
★ ★ ★ ★
HOW YOU CAN BECOME ONE OF MY
ROVING OPERATIVES
l
\ -INJOW that you have received your
i 1 ’ Junior,0-Man badge, ,and Manual,
f and have studied the Manual, you! have
' begun, to see how interesting and exciting
G-Man operations really,can be.
As your Chief Special-Agent-in-Charge,
I want as many of you as possibly can to
'] qualify for the next rank which is now
waiting for you—that of ROVING OPER¬
ATIVE. It entitles you to wear the Roving
Operative’s Special Badge, and to receive
your special Secret Passport, which is your
evidence that you are how a full-fledged
Roving .Operative subject to orders from
Headquarters at all times.
Here’s all you; have to do to become a
Roving Operative:
First, the Corps requires ,a pledge from
1
you, that you have carefully studied the
Official Manual.
Second, the Corps requires that you
memorize the Junior G-Man pledge as
given on Page 3 of the Manual... and as
evidence thereof, that you write out the
pledge from, memory, in the .blank space
on the back of thil page.
Third, you are to tear out this page and,
mail it, together with 3 Post Toasties box-
tops, to Melvin Purvis, c/o Post Toasties,
Battle Creek, Mich,
It is easy to obtain; the 3, Post Toasties
box-tops. Of course, you eat Pest Toasties.
All .members of my Junior G-Man! .Corps
do. Also ask your parents, relatives and
friends to save the empty boxes for you
and you’ll soon have the required 3 tops.
(See next page.)!
>1
FILL O^THE FOLLOWING (NOT LATERTHA^EC.31,1836)
Your Name .
Your Address .
Your City and State .
This is to certify that I, ..., have studied
carefully the Official Manual of the Junior G-Man Corps, and feel
myself qualified to advance to the rank of Roving Operative -
Signed; ...
WRITE JUNIOR G-MAN PLEDGE FROM MEMORY IN SPACE BELOW:
Upon receipt at Headquarters of this page, properly filled out, and 3 Post Toasties box-
tops, you Will be forwarded your Secret Passport and the Badge of a Roving Opera¬
tive in the Junior G-Man Corps.
REMEMBER, YOU MUST FILL OUT THIS PAGE AND MAIL IT BEFORE DEC. 31, 1936
( 20 )
Getting the Drop
on Public Nuisance No. 1
By Melvin Purvis
Former G-Man and Nemesis of Gangdom
W HEN the rataplan of gunfire
hushed, Public Enemy Number 1 lay
sprawled on the street. This gangster's
swift justice at tbehands of law and order
marked the beginning of the end for one
of the most vicious gangs in the history of
crime. And in this spectacular man hunt,
as in most others, scientific skill and close
attention to detail played leading parts.
These are the similarities between the
manufacture of Gillette Blades and crime
detection, although I didn't know this
in til my recent inspection trip through
Ihe Gillette factory. Previously I had
token razor blades for granted. I couldn’t
imagine the scientific skill, expert crafts¬
manship and tremendous care that is lav¬
ished on the Gillette Blade.
I saw things on my visit to the factory
that are almost unbelievable. Yes, I saw
wonders that a non-scientific mind simply
cannot grasp. The automatic control
mechanism on the electric hardening
furnaces positively awed me. In these,
furnaces the world’s finest steel is treated,
with more heat or less heat as required
for utmost uniformity with the correct
standard. This system alone was evolved
at a cost of many thousands of dollars
and years of research and labor.
Familiar as I am with, the microscope
I was greatly impressed with Gillette’s
constant use of this scientific instrument
to assure perfection-in the finished prod¬
uct. I marvelled at a photo-electric device
developed by Gillette which measures the
sharpness of the blade edges, and guides
the skilled technicians who keep the huj e
grindingmachmesintune.Thesemachin s
weigh four tons each and can be adjust* 1
to a fineness of 1/10,000 of an inch.
.Most impressive of all is the precision
of every operation. A trip through the
factory is a revelation to one who appre¬
ciates accuracy and meticulous attention
to detail. More than that, a man leave*
the Gillette plant with a feeling of grati-,
tude to these experts, who have the dropj
on Public NuisanceNo. l— these Gillette
scientists who have made the. removal of
unsightly bristles so much easier and more
comfortable for every man.
With theta important facts before you, why let o nyone deprive you of shoving comfort
by telling yov d substitute I Ask for Gillette Hades and be sure to get them.
~GltLETTE SAFETY RAZOR~C~Oflft'P A NY, BOSTON t **T?nrS*3.
\.j '384
WRGtWHAiRCL JUNE 11 1936
OSCAR A TRIPPET
C/O WESTERN UNION
LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
O
PRESENT ADDRESS MELVIN H PURVIS UNKNOWN TO THIS BUREAU
HAROLD NATHAN
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
mm
WESTERN UNION
Mr. Tolson_
/!$r. Baagbmar
/J, I jj Chief Clerk
j J Mr. Clegg..._
Mr. Coifey
Mr. Edwards ..
Mr. Egan__
Mr. Foxworth.
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Josep
Mr. Ks
ester__
?Ir. Quinn. kiC.
' Mr. Scliilder
! Mr.
Mr. Tracy.......
Misa Gandy.....
i
WM1 17 NM
'.JUDIN. £1 1036
LOSANGELES CALIF 10
SECRETARY TO J EDGAR HOOVER
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
PLEASE g[RE COLLECT ADDRESS AT WHICH TELEGRAM SENT TO MR
MELVIN PURVIS WILL BE DELIVERED TO HIM
OSCAR A TRIPPET.
* Tfc
m*ps
Personal and
iii i ft, i mi taflr
60? 5* $* Court Howes
l-Qlsj Square
Hew York, N. Y*
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mmor-endua dated June 8 # 1256 jjreparod by Special Agent >.-■.-y ;
J« D, with reference to hie recent oonwsreatlOn' - " /».
with Jr* JUUESf noswm, 1U3 Lftf^wtfce 9tf4K^»
City, during which Sr* Proisknuer volwxifceered iizfCroatia* \
regarding hie effort* to secure copies of the Buree»*S
it? entifioatioo order*. is.&K’J*'
. ' ■■Jt: ,"•
With reference to the lari paragrajh
randan, I iaw newer had any oonvereatioo idth 3*r» 9*Iteal’
of the Paurqt idmtif ioati on System regarding Pro*ka»e;r.
In f&c-t, i -had newer Vieaz-d of Pros leaner or his aOblYltiec
prior to reading the attached aaaarandwu
Very
truly yoi^rs.
.
Best available
copy
PSRSMAJ, ASP
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t>» pWtorraphe, ho, l?k08^ l XS, would obtain tha* frcs^
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ia the Iteited' Statad* 'v'.u. jff
Memorandum for SAC R. Whitley
June 8 , 1936*
At thin point PH03KAUEH exhibited to the Agent
numerous identification order* issued by this Bureau, as nail a*
photosraohe of various erirsrinala, which were forwarded to htn by r
various police departswats throughout ths Uaitad Stataa* He did
not state specifically from what sources he obtained the photographs
and identification orders, but said severally that he obtained there
by writing to various police departments and penitentiaries. He
said that the only refusal «ive« hi* was at tha Southwestern Peni- -C
tentlary, SI Reno, Oklahoma, fro* whoa he requested a photograph
of CHARLES. WILLIAM REKIKSTC®. '
Sine# the receipt of the above-described photo-
grants and identification orders, PBQSXADBH informed that the
original plans for issuing the booklet and forming the "Junior 9-
^ian Club" were abandoned. He Indicated that he might possibly put
the photographs and identification orders to some other similar use
scasstime in the future.
During the course of interview with PRG3XAUBB
he mentioned to the Agent submitting this memorandum that perhaps
the reason why the Director had refused hha the photographs and
identification orders was because he sfcruefc the Director in a bad
mood, F&0SKAU3R f S explanation being that at th* time former Speolal
Agent in Charge MBLYIN PURVIS had oema out with an advertising
campaign on his own behalf during the course of which he formed a
"Junior <2-Man Club" under hie own name, even going so far as to
put out a "Junior S-;>an" badge,'which vary closely resembled the
Bureau badge. PROSKAUSR said that the Director exhibited FITR7IS*
"Junior 0- an" badge to him and appeared to be w«ry nuoh incensed.
FR08KAU2rf< stated that the Director told hi* that
had *'doufcle-eroaaad the Department." Be said thac Director
was especially incensed over PURVI3’ publieity with regard to hi*
claiming that he was the one who had apprehended DILLEfOEB* wihen*
according to the Director (ouoting FRQ8KAUKR) 5AIIU2L CfWTLftY wsiX '(
the one who did all the Work.
It may be stated herein that th# Agent submit¬
ting this Memorandum during the interview with PHI'SKAUSR remained
nonecaamlttal and informed PR03RAUER that he ms not aware of any ^
of the elreunstanoee connected with any of the above*:
i
r
E#r.c-v«t«(hae to SAG R. Ehitloy
Jane 0, 1956.
For your information* It may b# stated that PROS¬
HA'"'3: stated to Agent that at the tisuo that he we* collecting the
photo*re«!io end idontifloation order* ho had a ocraroraation with «
loan by the aamo of OtJU’AL, who 1* now connected with the FAtJROf . ; : ^
wmmcATtos Btsrm in ao»e way, end Whoa ho deooribod ar *'f onft*. *;
bureau Amnt, who informed hfcc that you had told 0»SEAL
PROSXA*^ to dost at fro© oarryinf; out the plan to 090 the pbeto^phs
aid identification ordora booauao PROSXA'TJ®*6 action* ■ 4« doing-;** -
wre-jwaMag the Dlreotor wary amsfy. ' '-,A'
Reopeotfully submitted, ;% i'*? v •"
v ' ■ ’ ' •■•■•' '• V ' ■'' f'i.r- . :• ...
•1 . . '• • - ; 1*
«?. D* «3l£Rfir t ;
Special Agent*
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WASH. HERALD
AN ADVERTISEMENT BY- THE LAMBERT PHARMAGAl COMPANY
of Police at Oakland advised him that there is a
story prevalent in San Francisco that the Bureau
got rid of Purvis because He found out where
Dillinger was and sprang tHe trap without taking
the Director into his confidence: Mr. Egan stated
he gave the true story and Drew stated he would
reveal the story-in its true light the next time
he heard it mentioned.
J.' E. H.
JUN18 1535
FCdL.iAl L ^ '• -
;36
P
-i* ■ *■ ** /c”*!
' 3 #3 m s
Mr. Will Slnfroth,
Secretary*
The national Conference of
Bar IndMni
1140 MorthDeerbora Street,
Chloego, Illinois,
•f
Daatr Mr. Sfaefretht
X have received your ob— uni cation dated
June 12, 1936, o&oemlng the application subaitted
by Mr. Melvin H. Purvis, a farmer Special Agent of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for adniseian
to practice lav in the State of California.
Beeponeive to your inquiry, prior to the
appointennt of Mr. Purvis in the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, a character end fitness investigation
uas instituted with respect to his qualifiestione end
background, and nothing derogatory to Mr. Purvis use
developed in this investigation. You are further ad¬
vised that Mr* Purvie voluntarily reelgned fron hie
poeition as a Special Agent in this ssrvios.
Trusting tbs foregoing uill fully sasuer
your inquiry, X an
1
Sincerely yours.
Cl wr**-n -**• •*
-f;OMl|U.N!G,M.WS ROfiO'J
M A, I U K &
John Edgar Hoover,
Director.
i», M,
;'r :Vm.lY>-F SH,
sure F808228
turned self-addressed, stamped envelope)
P
Urtf’iSBT if #V-vl j; s
The National Confeeenge
OFFICERS
JOHN H. KIORDAN. Chairman
$10 Baitoc* Bviimx®
< Sax Fxax cisco, Cusmiu
WILL SHAFROTH. Steutary
IUONcxtx Diaxxox* Stxjit
Chicago, Iuuxou
OF JBAPo EXAMINEES
June 12, 1936
Mr. J. Edgar Hoover
Department of Justice
Bureau of Investigation
Y/ashington, D. C .
a
Dear Mr. Hoover: ^
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHARLES P. MEGAN, Cxicaco. III.
STANLEY T. WALtBANK. Dixvix, Colo.
A. G. C. BIERER. Jx* Gvtwuu OxIa.
WM. HAROLD HITCHCOCK. Bostox, Mas*.
WALTER C CLEPHANK.-WASXixcroir.-D.-C.—
Mr. Nit'can
Mr. To!-on„ J^***n~ j
J)TTs r- ’*‘Sf*" xStWI fmjsi
cfc?J r.oft
Mr. flof*
•Mr. C 1 - ...••»•.■'
Mr, E 1 r-rc’s ,
E-. i
Mr, Fsrrsieorth,
"M f. Hat'vo
M r, Jo.'f -A'h
. Mr. Kr’th,.....
Mr, tester .
Mr. QMcai ......... .
Mr. ScbiMer,......-
>r admission [ Mr.Tsr.ir> I
in accord- Mr. Trxcy....... X**Mt I
;ee of Bar I MU* Gaady
Mr. Melvin Purvis has applied, for admission :
to the bar in the state of California and, in accord- :
ance with their usual practic e, the Committee of Bar
Examiners of that state have sent us his name to fur¬
nish a report on his past record and character. -In
this connection I shall appreciate having 'a letter u
from you. to submit to the California Board, giving
your opinion of his record while serving the Depart¬
ment of Justice.
I have, understood that you make a very care¬
ful investigation of the previous record and character
of every person .you engage in the .Bureau of Investi¬
gation. Will you not also then state that before Mr.
Pnrvis was employed by the Bureau, l *his previous, record
was carefully investigated and was found to be without
blemish. Please also state whether Mr. Purvis “left
the^government service voluntarily.
You understand, of course, that your letter
will be regarded as confidential by myself .and by the
California Committee to which it will be-submitted.
.»«•*** **XUiXI««•«»>*■
Yours sinc^e3^7^ ^ ^ \
WS MM
m,v; o 9 v.yl 1 , Iv 'W ■ f , *
. ut-■ < Secretary ,/lx- ^
*•1 ‘ ( 1 * •WasS-nsj.g--
•r
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.« *■ I
r
THEn^criONAL GONFtiKJcm^E
OFFICERS
JOHN H. RIORDAN, Chairman
S10 Eaiwi Bcilmko
Sa* Fuakchco. CvuromriA
WILL SHAFROTH. Stcretary
IHQ N'cit* D*a*io*k .Stum
Chicago. Xiiihom
of IBard Examinees
June 23, 1936
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHARLES P. MEGAN. Chicago. Xuu
STANLEY T. W ALLBANK, Dixyi*. Colo.
A. G. C. BIERER, J*., Cvrmt, On*.
WM. HAROLD HXTCHCOCK. Bomoh, Ma$$.
WALTER C. CLEPHANE. Waihihgtoh. D. C.
Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U. S. Department of Justice
V/ashington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hoover:
Thank you for your letter of June 17th
O
concerning Mr. Melvin H. Purvis.. We appreciate
your cooperation in this matter.
Yours sincerely.
WS:CRJ
H *
\
1
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i®i*giiattsi|Pw
Mr. Nitfeaa ,»„yf
Mr.Tol*»n„.i^L,
> Mr. BtsfinMa......
CM«f Ctark..
Hr. Cleg*.
Mr. CoOt
Mr. Edwiu'd* ........
Mr. ££321.............
Mr. t'o-cucrth »«•_•*»/'
Mr. Utri>c
Mr. Jowj>2» .'/Ay/....
Mr. .
Kr. Lcjtttr.^/...
Mr. Qviaa............
Mr. S«MM*r.........
Mr. Tuem..
Mr. Trity.
H!m Goaty ..........
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M Botv^adUa «*«*• 1» Swlfc^iaea* I bad faaf»d .4'
•• 4»>i»fA«d« • ri»n t* tb ;«m' Ja V0UB9 1
,.,dtarU« «gr »tigr ia «mi FsabaU ** but wifo rxmm
▼i»it t* l3$k-^'rV'
la' wrttu* m Mm' ym Hf* ■
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Mr, N*th»9 , -. jt. '
•M*.'ToU«..fe^.i..'. ' •';
'afr^fetfueSmea £ .„• „v
lir..CI*M ,^ v .j '
Mr. Goffey
Mr. Vnwtiy
Mr, j^dwudi
Mr. fijm ’.
Mr. Po*w«ry».
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COMMU^,)CAT40ns section
*'M *.<> e o - f
JULIO 1936
>, M,
IE0WAI #U*£M< 01 tfnitStf luM OK
u i Dti-AttvhtNt o» ni6i a'
,f 1 ,*> &>
k
Chicago, Illinois
July 7 , 1936
■['Mr, J. Edgar Hoover
[Director, Federal JBureau of Investigation
;U. S, Department of Justice
Washington, D. C.
Dear Fdgarj
I
I
, I have recently>learned that it is possible
[that you will visit the Bohemian Grove, which is a part of
the Bohemian Club of San Francisco, and having recently
been elected a member of that club, X am hoping to see you
it you come out. If there Is anything that I cah do to
make your visit there a pleasant one, I shall be more than
pleased to do it. I am returning there tonight.
With all good wishes, X am
Sincerely
; . h if ;
/y)
.iV'
f 1 s
i\ ** t 1 j
220 WEST 19th ST., NEW YORK
Tel. CHelsea 3 - 8860 _
THIS rup*"'’ 0
DALLAS, TEX.
NEWS
- ! *i 241936
Ex-Ace of G-Men
Lauds Chief Who 3
Worked for Him
Melvin Purvis Arrives to
Address Grocers; Is
Guest at Dinner
Affable, courteous and willing to
.talk about anything in the world 'ex.
icept his own exploits, Melvin Purvis,
.former ace of G-men who laid the
trap in which the notorious John Dil«
linger was killed, arrived in Dallas
Tuesday night, He is to speak Wednes-
'morning at the National Association of
'Retail Grocers' convention at Canton
.and Henry,
He gave high praise to Police Chief
Robert L. Jones, also a former G-man
who took part in laying the Dillinger
trap and who helped .execute numer¬
ous other coups planned by Mr, Pur¬
vis in which public enemies were cap¬
tured or slain,
"1 can’t say too much about Bob
Jones," Mr. Purvis said, "Dallas is
and rightfully should be proud of
their Chief of Police, He is untiring in
his efforts and application to duty, He
has aided and will continue to aid in
bringing Dallas the reputation .for law
observance which it demands and
rightfully deserves.”
Mr. Purvis was in charge of the Chi¬
cago Department of Justic e Bur eau
when Chief Jones worked miere as an
investigator.
He was the honor guest at night at
an al fresco dinner given by Chief and
Mrs. Jones at their home, 3001 Her-
schel,
Mr, Purvis laughed off questions
about reports he had been offered a
motion picture contract, and declared
again that he does nojfeel he has any
of the qualifications necessary to
movie stars, *'
He is preparing to enter the practice
of l*w at San Fyo^cisco, he said, He
is a graduate of tte law department
of the University of South' Carolina.
He formerly lived at Timmonsville,
S. C.
(
it’* 'not r? r-taSSlbPXiei-')
} ,vfo" Rurvls, f '(J*man her o> movie ei*A»
t ^ract,',WeV*:Wntt4 Jthat he might
do I'Vypleture.l' hut r t^day;^ wri yyt»
reliably* Informed -5 that <■ hei actdaly
Is' fa'hbjrbWatioaVwith ? Nat' LeVlne*
head 5 of ? Republic iPlcturesj- 'fprta
tt i;,ep!?<?de.i'jiej , fal,;t based'! oh »,aal,ad*'
y siature ;dsi < tdoak,'*frlpi:tIf.4PtayJ*
r (ally 1 ,'grants*Into the’mbvlea
ilsnsobn,' for.We Ameir-j
tcan ^public •d¥4aotorlbusly','; fields
and(a» y«rtfrom'mbw. he> won't’’ «
aWeadlthe'r. 0 Today is' known r
every.'cor»er of:th* ebuntryforh :
noteworthy^exploit i la <ejimf natfrl
public enemy. NbM-' ’'’ 7f '’ rv
-! .t, ' " I ' 1 * .. ’ ~ .TJ. A. -fc Tun it
Ur.ytCui__
Mr.
Mr. SujkmaA......
Chief Clerk..
Mr.
Mr. Coffey
Mr. Edward*
Mr. Ere*.....,....-.-.,
Mr. Eoxworth__
Mr. Uube ..........
Mr. Jeeeyfc
Mr. Keith............
Mr. Letter i«uci...'.
Mr. Qtdna. a • **-*• *«•«#«
Mr. Schilder
Mr. Tout___
Mr. Tracy ............
MIm Candy..........
re’s
,v- — • -.
Eownto^iiew ■ •
‘Romeo and Juliet’
t\u
Hurvi4 -Hero ,/oE ((l-Men //Adyeritures, ,|PJanS; 'i ©« «**.
■ • • , \
I' : ',£ fBjr;>L0tJELL'A-.(0^ t *P ARSONS i „ : \ :
' ,* • w ; ./.^^“‘W^wjEditoritrnlvimliSerHc**^ ' i •>'- .'
f.SKit^spearei^/r/^''*'
■ *1 Ayoa ;»ix<w;e?ks -fhence what >, 'stiXtitW h.efir*?have 1 (Hell V see I - Mr. ftwi——»
; Ki» CjLi-iy—.—
-• -£a^oua^lK^'olu^-rilL9^I«(V^iid|c4': ' ___
'! tJmietj^Mith>^gent|em$hC , wK<>jbwn?S;E<>weo5totlife.'<.r f H %-* "
1 U/-AUofwmirn^m(Wom»Y» ^"vv r.‘. v '.VC * ' "'-'. 1
1 / Shearersand * Irving *< Thalberg/
will: visit s Stratford-on-Avon-for 1
the(w^rld premiereof^'Homeo; /
'' i a { ,P iandriullet/iwhere.itheyiwlllsbe^' /
f Joined-briLeslie (Howard '£*Nat*>, //
uxaliy4t wasineeessaryto'makel /'
, arrangements *wlth (the t Shake- 1 ; f
, 1 SPeare; Memorial * to (permit 1 the)
ys<m\
I * ,A * ■ NORM AffSHEARERj; j *1
| .Visits Stratford-on-Avon 4
*’.<<' < -J'( 1 (“i'W r i 4 *-- >
previewin'the .classic/^theater*
during* the/ festlval fseason. 1 . ,
] , *'At ? last l It'shot!,' (I ?mean 1 ' the J
l f Melvin* >;Putyls,* ', ( man* < hero,,
‘ , movie^conlract., : (We’vei hinted*
Fi that she' might, do a-, picture,-but*
13 today ,we. were reliably informed i
l that t he > actually* l* v ; ini nerotla-i
tlon (wlth)Nat | Levine, head 5 of4
Republio: ’Pictures; 1 ’! tor,' , a -■' ti&j
; episode ? serial ;based,bnan {ad* g
venture cartoon, strip* * If Purvis s
..f eally-s wantslf to^gOT-slnto:;! th?J
l movies ,hesshould> sign f soon,< for,
| the.■'American* public..; is |notorl*i
'if ously fickle and a fear from how
Ivhe won’t be a heai liner,'..Today * ,
k> he? is* known’ In l ev tryi comer.' of
. “the,: country; for 5 h s, note worthy
;, ft exploit ? t in i ;• eliminating 4 public i
4enemy J No.sL f : " 'i '-^VT ’ ,
.«««b
,0
JUN 241936
-COW-, J
■'If ' ‘ '
Portland, Oregon
Ihne: 17, 1936 '
b - T . ’ < • ,
(i ■
PKRSOKAD AND OOiTFll JB HgX a L
Director,;
federal; Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C,
I * V •( ■
V /■■
■ , i'
: ••• ?•>* i
v '
Dear Sir:
HS: DH. M.A. MATTHEWS'
'''‘fbl^mer&tog'irhed Dr^-llatilUiW/Vtjnfisred;! was intrb-
dueed to hlmi I had previously met him in Seattle' on two. other.voccdploaa -
when he, had made. »peocheebef ore the Northwest Association of Sheriffs
and Pollen* . He told me that the only reason hs cams - to Portland to make r
a speech at this ednyention was dSo- to the fact that he thought yOn
would he hare* H# stated he wanted te nant yon. and he had not had an
opportunity la sene tine to go east. •
■/ He told me that the city of Seattle and, citizens, as
trail, are ranking with- graft in the police department and; in other city,
county and state offices; that -ha had in 1911 cleaned up Seattle and put
a. police chief in tbs penitentiary; that the people at the present time l
were appealing to him to again clean up the city andatate. *** a ^ated .
he realized the enormous job it was hut that his life had been dedicated
to making the city and state safe for the: cltiwens, and ^claimed that
th* racketeers-were ttqvingjtnto Seattle and .ware' levying^ their toll, en
all legitimate business. **. r - y ; ~-'' u , f \y
, , .1 .1 ' 1 W ’. . r l , ', J“t ' ' , ,h
He stated that iust recently he. pa* been trying to
hire a couple private detectives in order to conduct an undercover in¬
vestigation Of vice and graft conditions. He stated that former Agent
in Charge Joe! Dunn called on him and informed hlw that he, Dunn, Atherton,
a former agent, and former- agent Melvin Purvis, had formed, a detective v
agency, and <$at theywould conduct the investigation at $50D.00per month
per matt. He etatedthat he Was willing, t? pay h. reasonable salary hut
he could not be held up. He further stated that,lie could not hire any*
one of these three, informing me that just recently fecial Agent in
Charge Dunn had tried very hard to be the police chief in Seattle, butjf.
that he, Dr* Matthews, had blocked him because of his use of llauo^wSd *
running around withwowen, and for the. further reason that i tLj&jftr
good the; federal. Bureau, of Investigation would not have rele^M^h^m
. ^ <v/' ..." ; & 4 ■ V
' -v* ' , ,: - j -
. - ’ ,'u4 < '' >. *" 'J * * '*
, .-CfAi '*.;*> , ^
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<■$*,v • ' 1 * v, »
-COPY?
Director ' ‘ . >l-t l - : ■ 6-17-3d
/ n ,
"*i3e stated that; he could not uee; Melvin Purvi s for the reason that: he was
of the opinion fyoa hia apeeches that aninvestigator could not investi-
gate case a by the use of newspapers. He stated, further that Ahterton’s '
record, ashe had it cheeked, waa ^ot. clear as he had bees doing con¬
siderable drinking. . ' ■*
; > He seemsto be very well informed of all conditions «
in the Northwewt and appears to be a power politically. 'Hpj.ia^a^fiym
believer in you and he stated to me that he praise^ you, y^urwoyir and .
your mem,at every opportunity. : Hb,did.today, in t; © meeting and he
Stands for. all that you atand for -yith reference to. pardon, parole, .
politicians*,e.ic. v '• ' '*
•• '.■■•fhe, jnet^raswd* of thf ,: d i fnfe3WMice v was.''that he desired,
that it advise you that he is in the market for a couple of good detectives,
and hr doe»n*t want to have anything whatever to do with, any private
detective agency; I told himthat; it would be alaostimpoaslble for
you to Suggest the name a of any men who would fi.t in well in. this part,
Of the country, because all good pen that you knew of you haul in, the
*service, Notwithstanding this he asked, me to/take the matter up with .. , v>
ydu and that/you adviSe him either way;. /
► «, ’’ * >■
I think We should keep very friendly with thiegSntle-
. man; as staked before, he ie a power in this part of the country.
r"* i ' 1
Bespse^fully*;.
•’ j. s. SGdtr,
, ' Inspector*.
JSg:TD
£ggsgS&
Los Angelas, Csllfornla
July 10, 1984
Mr. J. it. Hoover
Federal Burssu of Investigation
Washington, D. o.
Osar Mr. Hoorsr:
>0
\
In the abnanee of Special Agent ta Dhegge Hannon, ths wriber on
July ath psnoasUy sellsd on Martin looney, presently employed by ths
United Artists studio la Los Angeles, sad delivered to hi* too photogrwpha
of ths Ksrpls "cooling off* plane at Potash sulphur prlags, r^okusas,
shlah photographs wars oaslossd la your loiter te~|his Juns
88, 1988. v “ A •:!
i'o
co
Ths writer had luashasawith Mr. HooM^ta ithhlodj^a^,';
during luashsoo sad aftsrwords entered lato sons ^Mtgtha^oir o$>i
matters with "r. Voonay. During ths oonrersationgMrf Ipgd'Oy/’aisf
one occasion that hs was prosaatly writing a story or *4$|fc£lp..-'
hs was attempting to aosuratoly, and la assstd with what >0 thought
your Ideas, depict ths Bureaus training school for Spssial Agents. Hs
mentioned that in numerous plsturss and stories attempta had bean mads to
depict the training school, hut that in hie estimation all thaae attempts
had fallen far short of an aoenrete representation.
Mr. Mooney also stated that he, ssmstlae la the future, Intended
to write a hook, whloh he tentatively has deelded to entltlo "Parole Beard”,
la whloh ho will aoeurately narrate the workings of Me various parole hoards
and parole systsf&a as he knows then. He stated th* t ho has In hie possession
the originals of seventeen letters written by Inmates of the Jail where he
was incar oersted in Hew Tork City, ubieh raved the startling ramifications
of the parole system, including graft and '‘fitting". Mr, Mooney stated, in
regard to paroles, that yon have an idea about parslss whish hs shares,
namely, that paroles should be abolished. He stated that hs thought It was
ridiculous ths manner In whUfc, tor lnstsnse, penalties are imposed under
the laws of ths 'tats of Csllfornla. For example, a Judge Imposes a sen¬
tence of from one to fifty yosrs. It la his ides that any JUdge wh o has eErqj
properly heard a oaae, and has taken the appropriate Interest in sedOfg 1
Justice is dons, can most certainly Impose a definite sentones of sgMNllto 1984
three or five or fifteen years, or whatever the test might Justify, and that
to impose a aentenss sueh as the ana mentioned ubtette, ftwas ess to fifty
years, is an open invitation to "fining'' and greft*^ j ^ y") //y
ooney also gave the opinion that be could not underats
itfQ
•r.
the
aotlvltles and oonduot of Melvin Purvis, sines the letter's leaving)
i S
•X •'
S / ‘
X.
\
Hr* Hoover
7 - 10-36
— 3 —
Bureau. In this reapect, !«mmi; ms of the Oflllm that praetioelly every¬
thing Pur vie has done has tended to rsthorohaoran him, in at least ’’oonoy’a
regard. Along this line, s o on er st at ed! ^bat ha has reoently learned that
Purvis has signed a eon trait vim the Riftttlt IMlos in Los Angeles. Cali¬
fornia. whereby Purvis is to Mbe ( eawall ea jOM^Mbly write, a series of
what Mooney considers ehe*>»tpfb aerloTbsm^lltofter, for example. the
eseapades of the eonie strip *DO» Sana" or ■‘ W iiNH f Agent X9". looney inti¬
mated that Purvis would write thenQsnarll for i$ii serial, as well as take
pert in acting in the pietures fclaeelf.
Mr. Mooney expressed grotltudr Per tfc» photographs of the Ksrpis
"cooling off" place, and at oil tiaee dirlag tModbnversation epoka about
you in very complimentary ant ffisadly teams.
Siooorely yours,
/. 6. BUOAS
Aetlag SfCdlol Agent in Charge
JSBjAB
THE DENVER ROOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
Denver, Colorado
June; 29, 1936
>5m«
l
" - Y* ’i - j ,•* *?;*" ■_»» 1 > ”j" >y ,> f ■.
iF o r m ex’Consult?
' 'Witli^Fn^cotOfficial^on
: - - ■ tj . * ^ l . i * 4 -v, # * J /V A r A
• » 6 .tt ***»,-*■
filial lPKa^ SoC ^M»
(’ ? SAN^ FBANOlSCOLJune'i 2£f~
fpArtmentofJujtfceagent^ credited
fjobn-DUHnker,: Sunday Inlg^t: w
drawnilntolSan^ranCj^JiWUCe
fgraftihqulry Sn/n adylaorycapae-
ftyhi Wp*rt«% w*PP«d .^com- I
‘ ^PuryWhwhoipIan* *
nractiee ‘,;5ht S a n_y FranciiiCO, *» too*.
f erred / with' 4IIdwin^N<\ jAtbaton; I
former,GtMan>»<J:?hie|fnv«ti*ai,l
tor ; 1 ‘ regarding ?seiection^„oi~four I
. J 1 J *^,1 r«*VU<V.frt:19M' the I
VUKertonf examine^
|$iblorcandidate*;fwjnve^«atoy?,
\ positions >? nd; decidedj upon'..three.
*Tfie< $.electibns4vril\t be.? »ttbje$tf to
Approval! 9 tl tb,e i County;-: Bo*rdj,ol
!,SupervU6>#/andycontmgent'-upon
tallofment:? of.L*d^dditIonal $50,000
.inVeitfkatiSn.fund.,, n..,». *tV
>' j Mayor; Angelo? Ro$$iAyill r.edu??^
rtKeMUbcaUpn^rPr^tmCw^A 1
;iupetwdir$,,:'.He^s< expected? to
irecbrmnend »thai^the |'grand4ury
knqulyyio^^
(carried!on’.f.atraU,co str.
MvthV ^rmer|teder*V,»v|n.wmll«,
relied upon,'’Atherton? to *, d
hn ?fm ying bark .accounts .pt^est *
|y-% - - : ii *<» A * \ W f «i i rw*rvi
Kwtbih,;tbe (scopes of J official, city
Uj. H«Vua,
Mr. Tolaa*,,
Htbaw.....
fir. JMww
Mr. * g «.
Mr. JPoxvwtt
Mr. Marbo
Mr. JoeepSk
!, V
f ^r«..««.
tee
k
56 ^
. Cc&IMm.^Z
i.^Tena ..A...
Tr«y............
Xfcd
*Y«f
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.. i" s 1
• 1
n _ XEROX
JAN 18 1984
August 12* 1936.
Cfl P 'Y
Mr. Peter Xbegel,
35 Hawthorne Street,
WiUiston Park,
Long Island, New York.
'Dear Peter:' ••
I received your letter on August ?, 1936,
in which you request the .autograph of Mr. Melvin
Purvis.
Please be advised that Mr. .Purvis is no
longer -connected with -the Federal .Bureau of Investi¬
gation and it is impossible for me to furnish you
his autograph.
Sincerely, ;>
John Pdgar, Hoover,
Director.
- XEROX
JAN 181384
35 Hawthorne Street
VTillistion Hark, Long Island
C 0 P Y
Dear 'Mr. Hoover;
.1 am 14 .years and I am.an autograph, collector.
X received your autograph and X am one of the 1
happiest kids on my block since I .received your auto¬
graph. X tried to get Kelvin xWvis'js adtograph but X
couldn't, I would appreciate it very much if you could
find time to send me if you have ohe, an old signature
/> ,
of Mr, Purvis, I hope I am not sounding selfish.
Thanking you in advance, I remain.
Respectfully yours,
S/ .Peter Koegel
wM?/
'A ft ■ \|y
MelvinPurvis
“When I: saw \ the<expert
Gillette :B,lades shave so
much easier/’
.*/*»*•
5for 75* * lO for 49 *
Reputablemerehintj give you what you **!c for. In itore* 'i
where substitution U practised.iasist on Gillette Blade* ’*
ji i’*i
Me. Te.lreo..
Mr. Psefhww .....
Mr, O' i ,.»*>>>*»««
Mr.
/
Mr. P» wsey..........
M£ Edward*
4lr. Et*a --- 1 ....««.«
Mr. Eoxwortlt
Mr. Clt>ia .=,*..»y
Mr. B«b>> ■.«/«..
'Mr. . /iit twn*
) j as* * / J >
/ i// (^ f/r. y
lJ/\ * "MrfNkboU./.y
** * /Vi. Outea /j
(iii
Mr. Tr«J *#+jr »**»***•
MU* Gauidy »UM* ******
r Viii ’v T13C
I ._¥«*>»<*••* ***“*•*' »“***•■ - ***
_ XEROX
JAN 18 1984
^ <1
MBXLstBQt
August £7 1 1936*
/
MKoaiHEtat for am. tolsom
Be* Talk before the Lions Club, Xw
York City, August £5, 193d*
1 had lunch with tbs %w York City Chapter of tbs Lions Club at
tbs Hotsl Aetor on August £3, 1936, and addressed tho club after this
luncheon*
The address was breadeast over Statlaa *8* add ana sehedmled to
last from It 18 ?, M. to 1:48 P* M* The tbrss natrodueers" used fire
minutes of tbs tins so 1 actually talked for twenty-five minutes.
There wore present about fifty or fifty-five mewbere of tbs club
and Z we* given the closest attention and generous appleuee at the eonolueloa
of my talk* The president of the club asked u# to express his appreciation
and that ef the i*sober* to the Direetor for making a Bureau representative
available for tbia occasion and to tell the Director it was one of the
finaat talka on crime they had ever heard* Z extended a cordial invitation
to the entire membership on ths Director's behalf to visit the Bureau
whenever any of them might happen to be in Saahlagtoa* and found oeeaalon
to meat and shat with most of the members personally. All of them a poke in
tbs highest terms of tho Director and expressed the hope that he would be
able to visit the club at sometime In the future*
The membership of the slab is rather limited and Z do not
bailors pbe Director should accept on invitation to appear before them
because of this feet*
Mr* Oeorge P. Aiamer was present at tbs talk and Z bad a abet
with him afterwards* 8a informed me former Special Agent in Charge
Kelvin Tufris received $36*000 for selling his asms to the Poet Toast lee
Breakfast Pood Company in eeameetlon with tbs esmle strip being run by
it at the pseseat time*
Be stated further,several of tbs large movie companies bad
eeatenplated hiring Purris as a Technical Director or possibly as an
aster for several feature length films and that asms of them bad consulted
/
_ XEROX
JAN .181984
/
i/’
I
y
t 'd
L : (■ >
- i \^
**#ee v
* I
Mr* Tol*oa
2
Augn*t 27 1 1W6*
Mia toiMniai Purri** allege* ’"ehlevoaent*, eto. and that h* Mad mpoeed
Purri* for th* fakir that h* wee, whoa* apparent aaln objmtir* vac to
caah 1* oft th* Bureau** reputation* Mr* 21—r etated **. a. vomit *11
of th* pmaiaent aerlag pietur* #<w;3ni*» Jwd rade farther inquiry and
th* p*li*y of th* ladoatry, acting apo* * rnggeotloft from th* off loo of
Mr* fill Hajra* Dimeter of th* action piettr* Industry, mi* atriotly
" hand* off" oo far *« Purri* 1* ooa**r**4«
Mr* Ztaaar aeked to b* raaeafcered to th* Director, yon and
Mr* Clegg,
Baepeetfully,
»* H, J> h looter.
M r. L. B. Nichols, ,
#10 Parkview .Apartments,
1230 Ocean Drive,
Miami Beach, Florida.
Dear Mr* iV icholS:-
Thank you very much indeed for your kind letter of
August 6th relative to -your recent conversation with
Mr. Charles Pearce. I appreciate the manner In which
you handled this situation,
X do hope that you are steadily improving, Every¬
thing here is going along splendidly and you "should
not begin worrying about getting back to the office*
The most important thing is for you to wake every
effort to fully recover yopr health before you think
about coming back to the. .Bureau.'
"With kindest regards, I am
Sincerely,
3 * Edgar ^oover.
-- XJShu.,
JAN 18 1984
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
*-'V,
#10 Parkview Apt*6
1250 Ocean Drive
Miami Peach, Fla*
i August 8, 1956
Personal & OogtttesfcSSj]
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, ’
U. S. Department of Justice,
Washington, D. C* 1
Dear Sir:-
While conversing with Charles Pearce, formerly Identification officer
of the Miami Beach Police Department, hut who because of political reasons
is now on a beat, the writer was advised that last winter while you were
visiting Miami Beach, a subject was taken into custody at the Hooney Plaza
Hotel, by Special Agents Fitzsimmons and Austin* Following this the news¬
papers carried a story to the effect that your presence had nothing to do
’with this arrest, and that these agents were blamed by you for the appear¬
ance of the news item. He stated that because of this Agent Austin
resigned, and that he had told him, he had nothing to do with the -incident
nor was Agent Fitzsimmons involved. He asked me about these facts, and I
of course told him the truth - that * knew nothing about the incident*
Pearce then stated that he was well acquainted with Agent Fitzsimmons who
had never mentioned -the matter to him*
Pearce then asked the writer why Former Special ^gent in > Charge Purvis
had resigned, and he was advised that the writer was not even acquainted
with Mr* Purvis and hence he did not know why he resigned* Mr* Pearce then
stated that he had been informed by former Special ^gent Austin, that Mr. Purvis
had been forced to resign because he "was stealing to much of the big bosses
;publicity n * I promptly told ^earce that this was nothing but a plain
ordinary damned dirty lie, that you had no personal desire for newspap e r
publicity, and that every day you were besieged by newspaper reporters, and
if you really did desire publicity you had ample opportunity to receive plenty
ot it. I also informed him that all information concerning the .Bureau was
given out thru the office of the Attorney General and hence nothing could
he more assine that Austin*s statement regarding the reason why Mr. Purvis
resigned* Mr* Pearce agreed that Agent Austin certainly was mls-informed.
Very truly yours,
/s/ L. B. NICHOLS*
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
OIRECTOR
CT:MAM
• •
3>ri»wral lurrau of Snuwttgatiou
Unttefc Staten Dfpartmrttt of Sustire
HJasIjUtgtott. 3. GJ.
September 16, 1936
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
Mr. Frank Waldrop has advised me that Mr.
Melvin Purvis has written a book entitled "American
Agent" which will be published by Doubleday-Doran,
and which will go on sale in November. King Features
Syndicate, Inc., has purchased the serial rights to
this book, and it will start in serial form in
October. The book is supposed to portray the inside
story of the John Dillinger case and other exploits of
Bureau agents.
Respectfully,
Clyde Tolson.
r
o'
XBROA
JAN IQ 1984
A
)RurvisvAppliesifor?
(* ;oasf Baw^Eicense
; /SAN.PBANCISCO.'Sept.
i~Meivl'n' l :Purvi«.' ; formerly - ■ I In
‘(charge i of : the -'.Chicago; t office r of
;the Department of Justice; has ap¬
plied ;f for ■ ; ; permission 4. to ^practice
jlaw aln ? California.' ■ The '.’offfcl!
|of - the •- state’ t>a i x association J.salqj
|pufvls- ; ’was,-;glveni A a ^written ;ejt|
hmlnation: thls'tweefc; if
Mr. N»tiw
Mr. ToIjoo . X,__
Mr, Bn^nsu......
Mr. Orti
Sir. Crl*y ...
Mr. Di-wsey .........
Mr, JSs*-3,„„. • HO
Mr. Fox worth
Mr, Ct*vfc)
Ur, J ft ftp'i
w. u»t«
Wr. NtcboZs.
Ur. QaJon.l'._
Mr.
Mr. T*t»uo»...........
Mr. Tr»cy..
Mli$ GwSy..
f IjlCAGO HERALD&
xero.
JAN 18 1934
' * *'
* r.-jtfr vj f
. ■ * * I - ' * »
11 ■ ill'. j j •
ht
'hI
f
THE DENVER POST
Denver, Colo.
September 4, 1936
Managing Editor E. C. Day
(EORMERJG-MAN’SEEKS
A D M I S S I 0 N TO B AR
! S4hFrancisco^ 'Sept. A.—(A. it ,)-i
f>py^tlon of 'MeM&cPurviv fox
'£ -partmtnt o t ■iu*tlc# s chitf ■ of tha
' CMCago f bureau ,' to ipractlc* * latf • in
California cam*!: b«for* <th* »tat»»baa !
I association .Friday, 1 , !
Mr, N»tku
Mr. T.Ijoo.
Mr,
Mr. Circe
Mr. Coffey.....
Mr. D.w.ey ...
Mr.
Mr, .
Mr. CUvfa.....
Mr. n»rlw>,
Mr. Jejrph
Mr. JL*»trr.
Mr. M«tbol».
Mr, Quian.....
Mr,
•,
MIh GWidjr........
•»**•< «■**•* •
V
/v
\
o»>
XEROX
JAN 18 1984
(
SAN • FRANCISCO, ,Sept. 171
(US.) .—Melvin Purvis, Nemesis of
the nation's .most notorious pub¬
lic enemies, .Including John Dil-
Unger and "Pretty Boy” Floyd, to-'
day was advised he t has -success-!
(fully.passed the-California Stated
bar examination. ,
Purvis will be formally admitted 1
to fne practice of law in California
^nen the state < Supreme»Court
approve* his admission. »
1
<
i
\ 1
X3R0X
JAN 18 1934
t* «*’'t
'wmmmm
' V»)(nf- T > ^ v v TT ini ?ftr 1
,P«rad<* * “"’'
'JPQgjtL
drank;"tod■■' cinch Qtmoxi'- pop" and
then 1 threw thy patron* ofV’drng,
store. In the Hotel <lib3on ta CincJn^f
■natt Into a^p«ic,hy"fl^iii3htn« hM
gun, panelj,
druntofen cowboy’ afad 1 't&3^ {them!
what a pig bad GumsKbe‘man'hd;]
really was. ■ "'! ' ,,V • ■ ^ |j
Purvis was given credit for. most if
of the Alleged newspapers for-rub-’ 1
;blng out Dllllnger but It's .proved
now that it’s the little " bird that
comes whispering and not vain
glorious saps like' Purvis who pro¬
vide the leads to solutions of crimes
and the apprehension, of criminals. ,
i ’ , 1 * s '* * »»i
C*ff«r
Mr. Edward*........
.Mr. Egra
&■/.«
' i ,. V *
• •*■■■ u******
Mr. Forworth.
Mr.' GUvin ...........
Mr. Kwbo
5. Jo**phV<f.......
NlcfcoU
O a Inn.. _
V"
nttujiuut •
/
f(T"
far' 0<s/c
\J *****
%
7 ^
-COPY—
J 'u,
i tUujkaita .
’■r, ( Ur*
'■‘:. i ,'tosr*y .
Mr, lU*My
’*■(, Ct*rt .
-, 1’ >iwortti
j Mr. fj'-SMT-Jl , ..
j Mr, flti'bd
| Mf, Jo.rpfc ,
1 ..Hr, .
*r< /McJwU
Mr, 5
WCNS103 O ' ‘ I ■, lV , ■'
SAN FRANCISCO.-*MELVIN PURVIS TODAY WAS ADMITTED 10 >LE0AL PRACTICE
■IN CALIFORNIA AT,A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT. v
* s/ei—R328P
* *
Office or Director
fEOERAt. BUREAU Of INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT Of JUSTICE
i
Oct." 10,1936
RE: AMERICAN /fi&ENT
Melvirfrurvis.
Entire book is very favorable to the
'Bureau. The author omit preference to the
Director by name in eveny instance but one
where the various Direjtftor*s of the Bureau
are listed by dates.
The author uses/ n I" whereever possible
and gives impression of having run thing3
pretty much on hi/ own responsibility - Just
advising Washington of what was going on.
Believe ^reaction by the public will
be very favorable to the Bureau. A Tr ‘
st
OCT H 1938
T "V'.j-
l» nr 13 1936
,, j i > - T iCL
‘V*i )
*- '**1
■-( t ;■ »,i. jr:,,'Ww' l ..
• * v f) He-' H,ai Oy. ■ *< -
a
Mr. ToUoo...........
•- • •o'j i „ _ ^
• «**«( *«.¥*•»
Mr. Coffey ...........
’/It. Diw*oy
Mr.
Ml. Fox-worth,
Mr. CUvto
Jlr. Urrbo
Ur. Joseph
Ur. Lester
Mr. Nichols. .... ....
Ur. Quinn,..
Mr. StMHer.........
Mr.-Siflr.
* 1 ' - 4 **r , * &
--*■■**-* Min.tatuMu
-safe*.*- $.*>«* *.*■**«•»■■■■«■
f
I*
r ^
Us*
San Francioco NSTSJJ
Ssptcnbor 17, 1935
/fl
'***
-in Bums, ®x-6-l[aiipRr
Become San Fj ancisco iiauyer
'A.**.Wv_. . i
^amea-Captor ,6f IDillinger*
. . ‘Passe,* Tests. IHa* Only
to Take Oath
°* n)4 » **0
MAva «?„ D, J n?fr ■ aft< 3 ‘Pretty -Boy
^asss^’sss'is
’ was ’ learned /today with the
announcement ; thc . public enemv
!«WP««i! t£estateTr
of a?st£l^ to-attorneys drom out
8*5S£S! fCWt trom’those’taken
hv, ^r > Clr < 1 ^ lni,I Ca$c *’
, s info private; practice
tW^antf
•tSment^i or *■% time.since his re-
:mr ^»l^, on . e °t th « nation’s lead-
•F^- rn*n-hunters, ‘fvix, ’ Purvix Ha «
‘°' T fP la Two year*
. » tf*^t Mr, Purvte only two years
to rise from an obscure detective to
the most-talked-about' of*the fed¬
eral, agents. -'InU932,he,wax
th * Midwest division ofthe
theTm A t , ^^ U5t{Cf ' * nd too* W
•Vfrie f^nV,? U ^ nser> ' Rog<r 'T<W,
vl*f e Sanke y- George (Baby Face)
Nflwn and Floyd / face '‘
.42a,sysa
v. -c.'.
■ i* ‘,,11 *t‘
r
pMr, ToUeo
Mr.
Sir, Ci«;fl,...
Mr. Colley ..».,*»
He. Da*n»y,..„„
Sir, Bran *«***•»*»»«*'
Mr, Foxworth
Sir. Glavia«...
Sir. itarbo «*•»*
Sir. Jtiyp’ii ...
Mr, t^slr
1 if *V*b O*.J a
i*«. Qui:sa.,VdC. f .
15tr,
li w *-^V*
■JVil TWy
#Sii»» GtaJy
MEtVlN.PURVis.
Moves to California.
Dakota Jail. , Mr. .Purvis led the o'
! fleers who shotvdown Floyd. «Ai&i
Mr. Funis waited two hours outsit
to^te me(° f mUngtc to walk, forth
I'jt f /fi-a oxtOsf*
JAN Xa
xerox
1984
m IS 1534
I.CS ANGELES EXAMINER
SEP 1 8 W3 3 (r^
i
/
POST OFFICE BOX 1525
PITTSBURGH, PA.
(
PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE
September 19, 1936
1 i Passes BartExani
j MELVIN'PURVIS. ...
t ; SAN • FRANCISCO, i Sept.; ;i*—-,
N (Universal Servlce.)-->lelviu rwr->
i vvis. 'fltotmitj, iic* i G-man * * n 5%
1 ;nemesls - pi • the-natlonV most _no-.
storldus l public:enemies, lneluamfcj|
••JfohatDllltaWt and fPretty Boy ,
* Floyd,*,todayi; was advised that he,
i his ^successfully,: passed 1 the Cali- -
?fomia"state* hat; examination.f He.
.does hot Intendsto handle divorce,
1 or i criminal * cases ; hut (will J spe- *
• cialize i In t dvilis^tleos t only, * he.
said 'today..
1 “ i “ ®■!' *"""■*""" . *'TTriTSTvL'%Tl
Kr *
* r - «***,„„
Kr. Coar« ?
Kr. Davit,
V »**•*•**«# e
Mr. S*n,
Mr, f oxworti ,
Mr, Cl* via %
*'****««r**,
Mr. Hue*
I^ftr. .. .
Mr. l»it«,
Mr, McSoU
Mr, Quttuj.
c
a.-- 2ER0>
JAN 181934
Jjjeteral Ittw of ^Inliesiigation
II- ^5. P»parfmfttt of justice
608 Ifedical Arts Building,
Nashville, Tennessee,
November 12, 1936.
cop:eh
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
ftashingtcn, D. C.
Dear Sir:
/V,6, Pun'll*
I aa enclosing herewith a clipping from the Cozrercial
Appeal, ISecphis, Tennessee, issue of November 10, 1936, which
was submitted by Special Agent 0. 0. Pickard and is thought to
bo of interest to the Bureau*
Very truly yours*
RADIUnVIUROER=RATES
I iDRAlOFFIGIAtSjlli
DavijlDemands;“G” .'Man>Re*
■ llractlHofrucicre j Broadcast"!
, U:'l 'wy*; >" f
.Complete stetractlon/of < nutate*
«>«nt -greatly ^exaggerating .{Mem-'
phi?’,' 193?ihomicide- totalimadeiast
b’Xht over, * Columbia-Broadcasting
1 System), national? hookup/ by? Melvin
C,;Purvi^,;ont-time. ’Chicago, 1 CG”
mao, iwas^.demsnded : {by. Mayor
Overton faodil’olid^lCommlejioner
Davl* soon, altv l’urvi* lef t.the? air,
l] P<ra»n<i tor retraction 'wasmade to
William* S. paiey,; president {of i the
broadcasting.? company ;'<CeciIe. *B.
DeMille; director; of- the Hollywood
'^dio-Theater^f rom; wh,f<ih; Purvis
broadcast; j and- from l Furtts^btak
i 4 * "lit V*'/ 7 !!
' The '.reported f exaggeration-* Was
roade-;wbile< Purvis ;was■ comparing
the{murder'rates' ? ,of', metropolitan
London.? with y those, s Of,/'American
eitiesUHeJfs, reported to have'given
Memphis, credit. for;l,$03 -homicides
last year, ; 'V 1 f ( -.
J He Jbad {{scarcely 5 finishe'd f 1 his
broadcast ;when indignant'Memphk
ans-' - started * t telephoning {Mayor
S Overton? and! commissioner- Davis*
Many? called-Xhe'» Commercial .-Ap*
j;peai. . •- • • ,.j *’ >"
' Clifford Divis. Jr./ listening.to tb.«-
p broadcast, told his father what:Pur-:
f vis ' had {said, ('and \ the; police rcom-'
! missioner. ;t Immediately,(telephoned
? the, studio.?,' . ■ ;
[. M got Mr. De Mllle'on the phone,
1 tpld; him - what; had , 1 happened-- and
tasked to-speak to.Purvis./Thelat-
I ter.-hesaid, had Justleftthe studio
und'-was'en route;to,hls San'Fran-
i dsoo. home,.? Mr.' De Mille'.vdmitted
Rafter. I had explained 'my, grievance
,'that’ Memphis; has | been (‘done 'a
|great.wrong.'", H !,». {■
i . After a‘conference Jbetweeh-.May-
I ori Overton; and Commissioner? Da¬
vis, 'telegrams'? demanding* the; re¬
traction -.were.;filed.'V fWe want? the
retraction, "made soyer ;tha>’same
hookup{ (from ’ the • same? studio, fat
the same-hour, next Monday.nlght/!
iCommissioner Davis said* ' ?. . ! |
; ' -“Police department'-’recordsishow
ithat ouritotal!homicides' Jmthe per
; rlod mentioned' by, Purvis- were;103.
Today (the {193? * homicides i arjl 49
less/than :wbat.l they were ’.for ; the
corresponding {period 'last year.”;'?
Purvis,,now, a private citizen,' was ,
formerly,; the/’aCe: "G” ’man’ of-the
Department of Justice; was agent in
1 charge.; at '.Chicago’at•-the \ time!he
resigned ’ and * was » responsible for'
the; slaying-capture; of; Jobn,DilHn*
g«r. ’ i .« • . : " - ■-■I.? ;
}
{
{
EXCERPT FROM THE DETROIT TIMES NOVEMBER. 9, 1936
i( ' 'I?:?',
tw >1 "U
m
"i,
J 1;.. iS *( f (:,•<}
; ’ 1 By Dennis. ' l, <
; 1 - Melvin ;PufV5$;>fam6us;- "G-mn”
1 whoseseries • on ■» notorious -citm-
"tnalS/anditheif- capture!!* running
• fii :VT&e )DetTOit‘ : '*Tfanesj. j Will;; f*
p^nu;today. 7? .">v . '
-Purvja;.will: tell the-, inside* story
..of? many, of; his? important? assign-
■ ments ..and (also? svijj; answer. - ques-
' liam .Fraw3ey . ,and ..‘Allen Jenkins
, wul.be. heard in a radio version of.
“Alias Junm/^'^ntlne/’':,... ■;
1 ttr iN^itlswa
■ iVtr,
Mr, 3rtVI"hM.M3M >M- .
| vcr. Cl*s« ,.....
! ‘^r. i
« A»», d«W«y-|
| KXA»I * ? |«W |
t VCr. JVxworth,,,,^,.. |
8j.
StV. J'jtj-jfo
■is** ..........
' It*. Kt-.Ui.
....-.i--..
! " 4<“. r -:WMojr ...
r -lr, :■ IUBI
Mi 1 , «v*«jr ... .....
Ml»d Unu-iy.
_.XEROX
JWI 18 W
Introduction by Mr. DeUille:
There ,1s no person that deserves the gratitude of the
American people in the relentless war on crime core than
Melvin Purvis. Born in South Carolina, he received his
IL.B. from South Carolina‘University. Under 5'9" and
weighing scarcely 130 pounds, as head of the Chicago
Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation he led
this powerful organizatiqil against the worst criminals
that the United States has ever seen. Such criminals
as, Dillinger, "Pretty Boy" Floyd, "Baby Face" Nelson, v
and'others were brought to justice in his war on crime.
Quiet and unassuming, he i3,now an attorney in San
Francisco. ‘
*
Acknowledgaent-by Mr. Purvis:
4
Thanh you, Mr. DeMille. I have listened*with interest
to the story of the life of Jimnie Valentine. Few of
his kind are left but I remember one I met while run¬
ning down a lead on John Dillinger. However, only
scorn is left for his kind.
Interview by Mr. DeMille:
Q. Is it true that during the past several months crime
has decreased?
A. It is true but whatever has been accomplished will be
turned into dissatisfaction if the law enforcement
officials rolax their vigilance now.
Q. Do you agree, Mr. Purvis, with those who think if
America had a law enforcement organization similar to
Scotland Yard it would hold crime in greater check?
A. No, Mr. DeMille. The Yard' is nothing more than a
metropolitan police force.
Q. What do you suggest as a means of halting crime? ^
A. 1st: To see that youth is properly trained,by giving
more time and money to this training, and by
taking.vthe boys out of "dives."
2nd: Modernization and organization of state and
local police. Weed out the'incompetency and_XERC®
give them better equipment.
3rd: Our prison system must be improved. Few men
emerge without a Ph.D. in crime, and few.fail
to put this into practice.
4th: The public must cooperate with law enforcement
officials at all times. Citizens who pay tri¬
bute to racketeering "thug3" only tighten the
noose.around their necks.
Close of interview, by Mr. Purvis:
And now I wish to thank you, Mr. DeMille, for your
courtesy and for the many hours of entertainment
provided by the Lux program.
XER0>
.<■—p
M ,H * '** _.« K *»,'«*„,■
pKMst-i
i^,Setti!es:(Ooim '4
• ’•• ? rh/rv f ‘ I Mvva^tt - •'•' i
■vv-
SAN/FRANCISCO. j Oc^lJ.j, ~
* {l.N 4 ->rfMelylni H. J Purvl 5 ,v slim,
soft-spok'en'young' southernerfwho
beanie. the:; ace’ fof/J. v lMgar; H 6 o-
;ver’s" G-men t la fdr Ives'; that: ended
;the^ careers ii of -fJohn /' Dilinger,
‘'Pretty;Boy;' Floyd and other, out-
daws,’ has - settleddown tto 5 private
practice; ot; law J In I San* Francisco.'
j Wildhorses , 1 the /says, f couldn’t
drags* him / back -i to/ the war 1 oh
'Scowling 5 public "enemies. ." r /•;
.'Purvis'.; home,dnf ( San • Francisco
•Is a studio’apartment on Telegraph
i Hill, • from/ which'! he’ean* look {dir
irecUy * down f on v’Alcatraz' f Island. ,
j the ’(federal It prison j « that /■ houses
t “Spr.o* ;the;'crlminais> he - caught;
Purvis r spent ? eight *andl a? half
; years I with; the {federal i bureau/ of
I investigation^ .Whemf hew. slaws
.equipped 4 the 'G-men:'with.iguns
land,..extended* -their ?authority
(against ithercrimlnal;; Purvis.! as
|head ) of ? the-; Chicago-'field I office;
(was plunged into'.themidst’bf.the
'battle;.;.'/- ’ / ,
S e,-f ormer-: CJimanj fs _*32 s yeaw
IvinWOPuiyM. ■: sensation. i
>■“ American'.Agent’?- will stai t
\7. (* n i ' continue dtilyjin it hi
n erald i and.tExamwer.^, ; J
( ! Kr *
Wr, SmkIuwisjo.,...,
Mr. Chgg"^ _
Mr. Coffey ..
Mr. D.wrey ...
Mr. J
' Mr. K.rbo,,
Mr.^,*^ ■ I
Mr. U»teK,„. I
Mr. Nfcl»I», J
Mr. <W««,„„y!yf
I Mls^C«4y iV K
XBH02
JAW 18 1984
CHICAGO HERALD & EXAMINER
i
t
f| 3V (3 0 ~ : i fl>re: n Anerican ? .Agent«< \ ' *
> , ». -4' "‘ , L, (
« ,
^ fH -M* ’
h
■/: ,. Announceaerit that Purvis ^articled
• ;^*®\to/appear in -the'Cleveland* { r **
,-.Press^, ->.r ■> f V,0 ? M
V ©5MC *.«» i ♦* i * /[Vi/
4 |M|
A,
■: : . i
(sent in■ ty Clevaland Off.)
■ i, ,, "V, - *•;,* >
Mr.
m£b»o*Shb»S>
*5 £ Wl ? p«» « i# »w** *
'Mr.' Fe'XV^rtV.
Mr.- GUvia
[Mr,'* tf*rk&
Mr. Jwjk
I •Mr,'
1U*» Qta&f.
£ )n -
l
I
By MELVIN PURVIS;
I
In The
Cleveland
POST OFFICE BOX 1525
PITTSBURGH, PA,
Pittsburgh; suit telegraph;
October 16, 1936
... ——VOT* AMERICAN—-
G-M orrr-E.p i c
' Dramatized
", Tomorrow
i You thlnlc the life of ft G-man
1$ a series of thrilling captures? '
If you want the real .inside
facts,of what goes on-in the'life
of our government^agents’. . . of
the way in which they trailed Dil-
linger, .“Pretty Boy” Floyd. ,and
many another Public Enemy
Number One, listen In to the radio
, dramatization ’ of “A m e r 1 c a ri
. Agent,” the story by Melvin Pur¬
vis, once, head of the G-men in
, Chicago, now, practicing .law in
California. , 1 . 1
The radio drama!, ‘ though; will
be only an excerpt from the whole
story which''win, run* serially in
the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, be-
j ginning.. Sunday, and --continuing
i dally and Sunday. , -
, Eight stations win carry “Amer¬
ican Agent” tomorrow. WFBO,
at Altoona—WHJB.-Greensburg,
will broadcast'it'- at *12:30. p. ■ m.
WCAE, Pittsburgh^ and Pair-
mont, W, Va., have a 7:15. air
. time, while Wheeling. W. ,Va, airs
Ithe drama over WWVA - at 7:45,
.Canton.iO., with Station-WHBC.
is to' hear the exploits.at > 9.,with
WADC. Akro n , •■■ s c he duling the
story at 9:30. and WJAC, Johns-
town.at"9:45.’; yj ''
A
•r
\ ,
XEROX
JAN 18 1984
«i
' f -r-. •
' ’America's/ citadel * of; organized
' crime: crumbly under; the'tfie*ree
■,/’ Jf
t /ReverberahonsMof sthejextunb*
ling jofJjthSs 'sinister, structure re¬
sound »blow 5 by/bio w *' in • fAmerii
£an 'A gent,” /.starting! Sundays ex«
^lusiyelyVin/TfieExaminer. ,■ ']
f| Written 1 , by*; 'a .master, author/as
a Ww 4 t /r w1
Wlto',“got’^l)illfnger 4 it.r.recbuntS
* <rri *J«r iL'. ..*A1 ‘ i
jf?^®?' a M^*t;tho$e,of.organized
ijCrimey ■ - j., , r ; ■ - j. -’j? ■■',., / /
^ ; ;BacKI*natJfoithri<rdss?aJ/eir-
^.'Jv J'" " ' ’•'V "TV*" r
.streaked/a'bloody.swathe of mut-
i.dcr and (plunder. - 1 ' * A
... ■ '‘May/Barkeryandiher spawn of
.killers. AjQillinger,-, ;PreUy. "/Boy
{Floyd;* Baby-Fa c«i ! JN r elsoh.\ ".Each
1 had .his brief, hour, of: plunder, and
‘.of;madder." * ,• 4t s v -,;v#
“®y\- >the yhour '/of.'*; each .'■ \vas
closed by the spat of agents^guns i
in ‘the ^greatest ;sustained '. man
hunts in;history. ! .T i
; And; hi thei midst! of - those:re- ,
lentless ;/camp4igns'i ofs'extermiria- ^V/-
tionsof;' f publid-?ehemic^;.;Mclvih v s ’&
Purvis. |yas:itherT5tSi r m center) . V"' *, '
jNowAjn^'.'Am^rieahlA^eht^ ' >^c
starting.i>Su'nday.v'exciu$ively,,ijh >■;
The*ExamIrieri~rhe i tells/of/those O
exclring w and >-death-ridden A tehF 'A '
•years.. ••
\V*
!/'
vU
Si~~" '" ■
f J Mr, TtaihtA -
Mr. ToN<vn B ,*•'7 t v,
Mr, ,*
Mr.
' Mr. C<>ff»y , . .. ..
Mr, D»w»cy ,
Mr, T?r«tt . i ...
Mr, l'V.JCwr'rtN
Mr, C-lftvto
Mr, U»r>"» ....y...
'Mr, Jo*»pi» . - .- •
Mr, j>rter
Mr, NuaM*,
Mr, Qirfxva,,i
ssajefc
i Mi*$Hiaa4y.
--.. IER 03 k
JAN 18 1984
LOS ANGELES EXAMINER
OCT 1 0 1936
"PITTSBURGH SUM TELEGRAPH
October'16, 1936
" '^c*dk) w\ I ajJ\AS%J
t *
/Pi
u
Mr, fyttfcaa
Mr. Tol««n,
Mr. £*mzhxwi
Mr. CUjm,......
Mr, Co3tf
Mr. t>«ws(j
Mr,
Mr. IVrworth.,
Mr. Clavte
■Mr, Ilsrba
Mr. .forrpbi
Mr. Letup
Mr. Nl<h<vl,, M>
Mr. Qalna,
*Vn <»
iV^l'®-Man Tells OwSs
Story oi -.Crime AVar
The^true saga of t it. G-.Men, “AMERICAN AGENT,”
written by*the man-who is best qualified'to tell.about'their
gang-smashing Exploits;'is told in; the thrilling, factual ac¬
count by Melvin Purvis, 4 vho was America’s'No. ;1 G-Man,‘
until he returned to, practice law on the West Coast. if ,
"AMERICAN AGENT.” Purvis’? 1 1 “•-f ‘ ~-~
first story 1 which begins Sunday , In
the Sun-Telegraph, is an authentic
narrative written with brilliant
moving style as well as breathless
suspense. Chief among the.rhlght
lights of this startling drama of
i the government agents In', action
are the facts about the "affair at
Little Bohemia . , . "the blood-
thlrsty woman leader of the
Bark^r-Karpls gang ..." and, a
full recital of the events that led
up to the Kansas City Station
massacre. Purvis explains the
ways and means, often necessarily
painstaking/ 1 by which the federal
agents caught up with the mob¬
sters. pursuing them from one end
of the country to‘.the other, in a
relentless pursuit which ended only
with the capture of the outlaw.
Not even the sudden death of a
G-Man Interrupted 'this, steady,
dogged .chase/
A-combination * of« fact that 1s
stranger.;th an flMon ^ with realism ,
in the style he’uses, makes Melvin'
Purvis’ "American^ Agent” f one, of
the .most- Important histories /of
detective work, ever to appear. Yon
will'Arid -the first Installment i Of
"American' Agent’—fully £fts-
trated,. Sunday in ; the SuxyTele-
graph.
Mr. SkUuMrr
Mr. Taxora
Mr. Tracy
Miaa
p
* r* »«i
POST OFFICE BOX 1525
PITTSBURGH. PA.
I
^7)
I yUAA/tO
I Famous JSIeuthv :«Will: ^ Write
\ IDrama : pf»U^S/NlarirHuntersj
- i S fa rts > >i np Exarri i her : '*Su n day
*MeMo‘> iPupds-^Hhe' ■.?'G*Mah*
jfoiw * "got’ripUlingejr^'emM-gcjr* to*
|a (new! role/-> •• *.' , r '*•*'
: , {<The> n^ter^detee^ve^who tde«
f seHed themusty cjuiet'bf .a South
'.'Caro^na;’*tew«.oifW§*tto« ■•hound
■5gangta^d>Vsr^t ; iod| ; ter5 (years
f nowiturnsiauthbr .',<) ;■ t, p
Starting (ne^i Sunday Vih^Tha
?acahrii»r^«ti^ve^r,' 0»e v £iB»<H^
’• t sleuth twitf' 1 jtpf open $ erfmetaiSd’a
;secrets. ”H* /V* r ' r ' "’ ,-'i
Hells, of the’ nation-wide and ruth-;
‘less ‘tracking:'downyof (Uncle
j chase *',wcnt i !'on ^rom»Shadowy\
tg&hg' (“hideouts’! Hh'| great;, cities
< to f the (forestdastnesses ? of 3 the
■) Ozarks.. I r ' 1 ( •' ’" • < /, ': V 3 i
'DillihgcrlsPretty ipoy.-tFloyd!
■ Baby' - Face > Nelson!; Ma i-Barker l
(TheJrrsimsterfhan^sigrippfdi'the;
l^MtldnHn^fearylbutl^chifelljhe-
ifore the ilridsistlbld>. o^feu^it
/of* Uncle’ Sira's'mia-tetcrs." ’ r <
■' ;Aseach -fell,!the> last ) chapter.
} dramas closed; ijBui'ijeach/drama
f closed^ ia'ithd; shroud|of>;jmpeheV
(treble (mystery! * Sworn t secrecy.
1 sealed:the; case. O' ,/•■ ' ' ■ ’ '!
• f N6w{/dr.(therftrst5 time Hhose
| seals; will J bV/rlpped .open. ‘.With
5 b6ld;(deft;strokes:-MeIvin' Purvis
(struggles' against* forces ■'of.‘ t or-
fganized* crime. I ' y • .
J/Read (of ?lth%>real*'Ufet drama
iVwiHttchj^^
|Uhcle r ,Sarn's;f dre'e^tts t, a rtih g- (
ihcxtf S unday-hTTre"; Examiner; u
yj Mr, .V*tK».n ,
I f*'' 1 ■
I M t, fca« <[>ym
J Ur. f£*ct , ^
I Mr, f'o?-;,
> *W, , ,
I Mbr. **%*., ^ ,
Vo^wortW *
AHjf. <# 4 vb»
jWr. CtarJvo ,
I .Mr.
jw5ft«r
«m«MM XBS02
JAN 181984
LOU ANGLES liXAMW"^
OCT 1 3 1936
I
JTESiEKH JQJJION,
NOV 13 1936
WM12 7 XU '
RF NEWYORK NY NOV 13 S55P
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
US DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
IS MePpURVIS MARRIED PLEASE ANSWER IMMEDIATELY
WALTER WINCHELL.
1013PM
R12BI
..0
Mr- N*th«a
Mr. To'jioa,.h
Mr. BuighiaMi.......
Mr. C..J2
Mr.
Mr. Dtvrtty
Mr. Eg«n.............
Mr, Eorwortb
Mr. GSav.o
Mr. ...........
Mr,
Mr. lister...........
Mr. Nkiol*..
Mr. QtJfin * *«*■*■ **■**•«
Mr. Sk&UJer.... .....
Turn
Tr»cy’!T... v
Miu Grundy. J
J<Sr, Turn
Mr.Tricyk!...^
I „-*•***
ri
.iXEROX
? JAN 18 1984
)
NoYcmber 28, 1996*
Mr* 0* H* Feareon,
Keffelfinger Publioatione,
101 Cedar Street,
New York, new York.
Door Mr* Peareom
1 have your communication dated HOYejnber 23,
1936, concerning the wheroabouta of Mr* SfelYiiPPurYle*
I regret to advice you that at the proeent tine the
federal Bureau of Investigation, U. 3* Department of
Justice, does not hare any information ae to share he
nay he located*
!
Very truly youre,
John JSdgar Hoover,
w Director*
— , XEROX
JAN 18 1984
HEFFELFINGER PUBLICATIONS
101 CEDAR STREET
NEW YORK,, N. Y.
‘ PuautMuts or
HerreuriNGCR-s Football facts
BERN IS BICRMAN'S football book for boys
MAIN ©W<*
*24 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN,
Novesber 23, 1936
J. Edgar Hoover, Esq.
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
.Department of.Justicd, »
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:.
I aadnterested‘in locating the whereabouts
of Mr. Melvin^urvis, as !■ would like to see hia on
a personal Batter.
Any inforaationiyou can coffer will be greatly
apprediated.
Thanking you in advance for your cooperation,
-I aa.
Yours respectfully,.
XEROX
4]AN 181984
\v^(W
Mr. N*th«a
Mr. T©1 j®u...„....„
Mr. Bttxicoxxn _ _
Mr. Cltet ............
Mr. Coffey
Mr. D*-w«<y.«...
Mr. E«m ...
Mr. yoiworth....... j
Mr. Clavto „V,.
Mr. Htrbo
I*. Joirph K.. .
Mr. U«ter
Mr. Nlciwl*._^
j Mr. Qoloa.
Mr. ScbiMer.........
Mr. Tmuoi
Mr. Tr *cy..
MU» G*ady.
PLEASE RETOKFrnr I
DIVISION OF '
PRESS INTELLIGENCE
2067 Commerce Bldg.
SYMBOL
/ ' -J
Press-Scimitar
Memphis, Tenn.
dateNOV ll 1938
£? r '* _
Sorry, ^ (Says Purvis-
-ar as?
1 H? **tveated rapidly, ass«
; He fell baclc ; to.., disorder. He ad- iwhic
mitted he-was-wrong. H® islgolhg be (<
to ..say. so over, the CBS set#drkJ^'to ■ «
ass»f|hce that the Inadvertanc®
whiclf caused this should to no way
be ewwldered a desire- on - my part
tjlj? Memphis an.. Injustice. t/n-'
- . %r ivieTOpnjs- an. injustice, un-
a,broadcast'Moridiy ni|ht-JMr, .dcWand ..from your wire that the
Purvis said Memphis had'1630 mur- Correct,figure is '103 murders :In
ders.last -year, immediately there accordance With your request t this-
were^protests. ; Commissioner Davis Is the'figure: tobe ■ used in the next
caned the Columbia ..Broadcasting broadcast of the same.program*at
system and complained. 'Memphis 1 the-same 1 hour.next Monday,night. 1
had only 103 murders last year.'
Today Mayor- Overton-and 'Com*
ttoissinner .Davis,-received i from Mr,
yw to Los Angeles, the following
telegram;
’ Be assured ' of - my sincere < high re*,
gard -for .the * City - of •■Memphis and
Please accept my sincere best wishes.
.“MELVIN i PURVIS^.f
„ 'The' City,, accepts -Mr, 'p«ms*
.. J ^ P^A* *!»'«'<*' JBjSjofe* cgmmptoner ^ m- ^m .
_ XEROX
JAN 18 1984
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT
v /31 empliis, Tenn.
.November 21, 1936 .
Honorable J. Ydgar.Hoover,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U. S. Department, of Justice,
Washington, D.'C.
My dear Mr. Diractor: * 1
On a ..National Broadcast-program.
■on th<f-pth' offthis., month,, an old' acquaintance,
MelvinVpurvis, made the'ridiculous statement
that Memphis had I 63 O murders in 1935*
the old ; system we .had one Jmndred and three*
Under the standard of'listing 'illegal homicides
.we had but.eighty.
, I immediately-talked',toi Cecil Be
Mille by phone,. wired-the President of'the
Columbia Broadcasting Company .and Mr ..‘Purvis,
.asking a correction. The day following I
received a. telegram of apoldgy from Mr...Purvis.
A correction was made, on the following Monday,
not by Purvis but in a simple statement, not
as full and as gracious as X had expected.
You can readily see that an injustice
was done.my Community which cannot easily or
readily be remedied. So it was that X called
your offloe-for your authoritative statistics.
We made no reference to your Bureau
and: its release, yet :X was certainly tempted
to do so in so far as this party is today
still enjoying the publicity as a former
agent .of the Department.
f
i
I
• ♦
U S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Classified.__ .jcj/f}---"" Assembled..
Scared ed.^Z..... Verified
Index Card....Answered
_Four Fingers Taken Simultaneously
Left Hand
Note^Amputations I : Employee’s Signature
Four Fingers Tskea Simultaneous!
r
' >.i : <K»’
.,iV
KE»i«RA
67-7489-
+ JMeMtair *ti 1936.
Mr*. Carolyn E. Olltar,
S868 Cathadral Aramia, M« f.y
VaahlngtoA, D. C.
DaarMra, ollrari
' . w • » « -r v.
Baaaipt la atknovladgad of your lattar
da tad Daonabar IS, 1956, uharaln you in^uim mint It* to
Mr. M*lrin Punria. In thla aonnaatloa, you ara advlaad
that tha praaant uharaabouta of MraSPurrla la unknown to
thla Buraau. u
Tory truly youra,
i
John Kdfar Hoorar,
Dlraotor.
I-
r
| 1 V>, x.fclh.v* ,. r .
* ;,V,
•S# ' < »»* -*U , ft, » 1 * 1 «
_’ XEROX
JAN .18 1984
) r a-
KECCfTION kOOM
Lewis Hotel Training Schools
WASHINGTON, D. C.
36 .
yrh. a-
XW m>. . /
CfjJtAXs '77~y~' yC^tSoy "^T^.
/ .^7^-
<*.€**» fft^isss
S^T^^&vW,
—^asn ■ JAN' 4 - 1937 ^ n <W
z£to®r!r:3 .w
i i * 'j
rkm.ww
Rout ’d ,... 4r- .Indexed
Searched ,, .Recorded
Numbered . ,. _/bg ’’i^d,
Serialized i/r ?U#d
_ XEPOX
JAN 18 1984
'i'T
4
Vvvt^W (A
i *
Aa/\/ iAo
-G^Man CaugKt
mmm fwn hi -- -
Melvin Purvis, former ace G-
Man,:has been:arrested ‘for
speeding.at San Jose, it;was
revealed t o d a y« He was
> caught: by Traffic; Policeman
' Tony 'Russo, whose ;recOrd
book also contains the names
of <tEe Duncan Sisters and
many fast-driving m.o v.i e
(
Mr. '
Mf. Cliffy
Mr. 0KI»gy
Mr. £x?n
Mr. :*W,, , .
Mr.
Mr. HW? »i
K^ivT'i
Mr. ,Lwi! t .,
f Mr.
Mr.
Mr. SW,
Mr. ‘Ttfyjy
^a-»> Cks.tr,
XBEOI
JAM 18 1984
’ I
J
MUUMMUMMum *<•«" ^
Decaaber 4, .125 6,
C 0 :p Y
Mr. ,B. J. McDermott,
Chief of Police,
East Liverpool, Ohio.
i
Dear Chief McDermott :
,1 have received your letter of November 28, 1936, pertain¬
ing to the capture of Charles A. Floyd on October 22v\1934 and was
surprised to learn of the promises made to you by MrTRurvis. You are
no doubt aware of the fact -that Mr. Purvis is no longer connected in
any capacity with this Bureau and I desire to assure you that 1 never
before heard of the statement and promises which you advise Mr. Purvis
made to you. Certainly he had no authority to promise to furnish you
with copies of Investigative reports since Federal Statutes and Depart¬
mental regulations provide that the Investigative rreports of Agents of
this Bureau are of a confidential nature and cannot be furnished v to any
person not directly concerned with the prosecution of a Federal case.
The Jaw 111 not permit the furnishing to any person of property solved
upon a person sought lor violation of a Federal law. For your Informa¬
tion, the two .45 calibre pistols taken Iran Floyd at the time of his
apprehension are presently Impounded, awaiting the disposition of the
charges preferred in the State Courts of Missouri against .Adam Richetti,
companion of Pretty Boy Floyd, upon charges ;of murder. -These pistols are
‘being maintained in the custody of the Agent in Charge of the Bureau’s
Kansas City Fi©ia Division^ awaiting disposition of the appeal of Adam
Richetti. I am advised that a period of .approximately two years may
.elapse before Richetti’s appeal is. completely perfected.
I desire to advise you that 1 sincerely -regret the representa¬
tions made to you by Mr.Purvis and to again assure you that these promises
if made as outlined by you, were made without any authority on the part of
Mr. JPnnvis.
1 * You way Be assured that it is my desire to cooperate with you
and .all other law .enforcement officers at all times in.matters of mutual
interest. •« ,
Sincerely yours.
John Bdgar Hoover,
.Director.
C 0 P Y
CITY OF HAST LIVERPOOL
0* .EARL GREENAWALT, MAYOR
Mr, Edgar H. Hoover, .chief,
Department of Justice,
Washington, D. C,
East Xiverpool, Ohio.
Nov. 28, .1936,
Dear Mr. Hoover
For 33 .years I have been engaged .in police work, and on
numerous occasions .associated with members of the secret service and
federal bureau .of investigation, whoa I hold in high esteem. I am a
great lover of both -departments, always cooperating in the numerous
cases involving the city of East Liverppol, and receiving the same
courtesy in return.
However, in regard to the killing of Charles A.(Pretty
.Boy) Floyd here Oct. £2,, 1934, there are a few facts about which I
whish to Inform^ou, since 1 have been unable to obtain any satisfaction
from Mr. Melvin^Purvis, formerly of the Chicago area, who, as you are
aware, 'was .a member of the posse.
There are two things, principally, which were promised
me by .Purvis, neither of which has been done. The first is that
I was to receive a copy, or similar Information, of MS report to you
on the Floyd case, end seand, that T would be given at least one of
the two.45 caliber automatics the fugitive had in his possession
when shot down.
1 would appreciate very much receiving his report on the
case in question , and if you do not wish to part with both guns, I
would prefer having the one that was partly rusted, since it is the
one he had in his hand when he Tell.
I am onelosing a key which was found in Floyd’s clothes,
which you may be able to trace to a strongbox or some other lock,
possibly at Buffalo, N.Y., or some of his other haunts. I t he event
you do not Find the lock it fits, it_ would like to have it back.
In order that you may know 1 am justified in making these
two requests for the Parvis .report and Floyd's gun, T will * econstruct
briefly what took place at the time he was .captured.
1 (
i
I y t
! /*• \< »
»*•
1 '■ ‘*\
i \ |V *
1 1 1
'i! ! 1
/ ' . . J
r * !
A detail of .East Liverpool police, headed by myself, were
dombing .the Countryside near here for 'Floyd after Adam Richetti, his
pal, had been caught. We met Mr. Purvis and his men on a lonely
country road, and after driving a round awhile, we finally turned down
a lone leading to a farmhouse.
As we neared a corncrlb on the place, I saw a man hiding
at the rear, and he refused a command to command to come out. I then
hailed Mr. -.Purvis and his men who had been .following us, and as they
alighted, the man started to run across a field toward the woods, I
■then ordered the men to shoot.
When we ran up, Floyd was still living and we snapped on
the handcuffs. Mg asked: "Who tipped you off—where’s Richetti— they
got me,** 1 sent Mr. Purvis to a Farmhouse to call an ambulance, and
by the time he .returned -Floyd was dead. I asked him if he had called
the ambulance .and he said "no", that he .bad called ‘the "big boss" in
Washington—meaning you, -Mr, Hoover.
On the vay back to ‘town I wanted to -take the handcuffs off
the dead man, but Mr, Purvis objected. We also had an understanding
that I was to recount the details of the capture to the press rand
others who might inquire. It was not -long, however, until the news*
papers came out with conflicting stories from Mr. Purvis.
Mr. Purvis said at that time he was taking Floyd’s
revolvers so that he could show them to you, and would let me have
at least one of them back. 1 hare never received the gun or his
report, and would appreciate very much any consideration you may give
my requests.
Fours very truly,
'H. 1. McDermott.
ChTeT of r PcliceT
IS0«£OB
January 16 , 1931 *
On the night of Thursday, January lit, 1957 , I toad* a talk befbrw
tha Junior ffiooaan*s Club of HsplewDod* Hew Jersey, Thors mm appeSsatlaatsly
oa» hundred present and the meeting me held imsed lately following tlw
business session of the oiub la the WaaoU Club Building is Haplasoed#
The nasbers of this olub are a pert of the group before whoa the Director
is aoheouled to sake a talk in larch#
I found the audience to ba rather enthusiastic and intensely
interested in the mark of the Bureau# After 1 talked to them for about
forty-five rduutes, they asked questlem for approximately thirty minutes*
The Program Cheirraaa, Who ms in charge of the mestizo, ms Miss Charlotte
S* Craig*
At the hoes of Hies cralg, where £ first tailed, her young gontlesna
friend, Mr* Frank Ilaer Delane, advised tint he ms associated with the
Young-Rubies* Cowpeny. *85 Madison Arenas, Hew York City, which, ho stated,
ms the largest advertising agency in the United states, even larger than
L rd end Thoms, and he further advised tint tfceir eeaeern mailed a
large number of radio pregrwe, ineluding Fred Allen* Jack Benny, Bums and
Allen, end maty ether accounts of this type# Kr# Dulano informed me that it
for the Poet Toasties end Dodge odmrtlsmmte* 1 attempted to find
gat ham suoh money me Involved in ti e eentraot and told Mr* Delano that
X had hoard from an unauthorised source that it amou n te d to a sum of
approximately fifty thousand dollars, and he stated that he imow this could
be ineorrset because Disey Bean get 117*500 and Joe £• Brown £14*000 for
a similar series with General Feeds* Hs stated* however, that the "Junior
(HNttP'series of advertisements had saeeedsd in popularity any of the others
and that tho JSolvin Purvis "Junior G-Man dub" now consisted of an enroll-amt
of 260,000 boys la the United States and was still growing, in syite of the
fact that the series of advertissmaat* bad stopped* Be stated that the next
series of this type was *3uek Jcnsoft . At r
s:rBW^> ' • (?/' 7+ * 3>t
Mr* De2aae inquired ooneemiag the Bureau*s Attitude towards suoh
advertisements and 1 pointed out to him that it was considered very unethical
for anyone to ocraraeroialise on their work, because it served the purpose of
instilling fear into the minds of individuals who might bei
confidential Information about crime but would be deterred x
/ w
tS toe *" 1
' JAtJ/^S 1984
Boaor aato fcr the Dirwetor* * E * January l6g 1937*
ttay ialghfc fear that the sEployee with «(mb they talked would subaequently
write up a stcey about the situation* Mr. Delano stated he could under e&nd
that viewpoint end advised that ha would be pleased to be of any servlet
possible to the Bureau*
R esp ec tfu lly*
H* 1* Clegg*
Mr.
o!*oa.
Office of Director f *
FEOERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Feb. 11, 1957
Cc~ry ;i)r-
Mr. EjaV...
Mr. Foarw^rth.
Mr-JGlJvta
aUt.
jJlr. Jo*cp6
f Me. jU*U» Kj
Mr.
JVf V
! Mr. Tr««y......
W*i Gw<l/.„.
Tim stores are now carrying a new gaae called
"MelvinMpurvis 1 G-Men Detective Game". The gaae is
played on a board similar to that used for parcheesi,
and on the top of the board is a rather large pic¬
ture of Mr - Purvis -with the words "Former AuE of
the Department of Justice".
The Gaae sells for $1.50, and is put out by
Parker Brothers, a large concern which also puts out
Parcheesi and Monopoly./
&*£
FEB 191
'Sj
' , , S V -
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V_ .XBRQ',
JArl8 r 198\- ; ;
/Ml > (S
CTtACS
February 17, 1937.
wmamim ton thx director.
Mr. Edwin Talbort Tbayer, hone address - 150 Fifth Imna, San
Pnanelsoo, California, oallod iowMOi by refereno* free your office ««
February l&th. Mr. Thayer loft with as tho attached circular with respect
to tho objectless of tho Xotioaol Criwe Prevention Institute, 425 Fourth
Awemie, Mow York City. He stated that slnoe tho death of Mr. Howland' C.
Sheldon, Executive Director of the Institute, Profeoeor Frederic 1. Thrasher
of Mew fork University, lias taken charge of the continuation of the Institute,
whloh is flnaaoed entirely by ooatrlbutions frost citisens. The attached file
(62-31776) reflects certain Inquiries cede with respect to the nature and scope
of the Rational Crlae Prevention Institute by the Mew York Division.
t •
X was very unfavorably increased by :Mr. Thayer, who does not appear
to have any practical experience in crlae natters and who was unable to
indicate to n e any plana for the develepaeat of tho Institute along practical
Unas.
Mr. Thayer stated the purpose of his visit was in tbs hope that you
would write a letter approving the proposed objectives of the Institute end
1 feel that this letter is desired solely for the purpose of encouraging con¬
tributions to the Institute on the part of private dtiaens and also to possibly
assist the Institute in securing support froa tho Rockefeller or siallsr Founda¬
tions.
1 told Mr. Thayer that when an opportunity presented itself, X would
callethls Better to your attention. X rs ooaa e nd against the furnishing of such
a nnsaunleatlon and have prepared a short note to Mr. Thayer for ny own signature
in aekuovleiiuent of his visit.
Mr.HPhayer shoved as a oonpreheasive tee-page letter addreseed to hla
by lb*. ItalritfrurvU, foraer agent, endorsing the Institute. Be apparently is
tied in rather closely with Purvis in San Francisco.
*
k
H
■r. Thayer mentioned that on Saturday norning Howard 6111 will present
a radio program over the Columbia Broadeastlng systea dealing with the work of
the Institute with particular reference to the natter of juraaile delinquency.
.Be thought we sight be interested in hearing this program. Mr. Thayer also
requested that he be plaoed on the nailing list of the Bureau at his Man Fren-
clseo boas address. It is suggested that his naan be placed on the nailing list
to receive oris* bulletins only* Jj \ ^ , ^(D^j
Respectfully, ' ' -.TSRO*
y
u
~ ('■
Z-W&
Clyde Toleon.
JM1 18 1984V
tS
$
\
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
i 1 —«
/
/
.TDQjRCL
i -
iflriirnil Siurrau of Inuraftsafton
UnftetJ states Bepartment of Ifuattro
Hlaalfmgtoii, B. <£-
March 10, 1937.
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. TOLSON.
1 Mr. Suydam telephoned^and stated that inquiry,,, _
had been made of him as to whether Melvin^Turvis was in the Ci^y pf
Washington. He stated that a report from San Francisco indicated
that he was in this city and he wanted to know if we had any '
information about him.
I informed Mr. Suydam that we did not have any
information concerning him and that I doubted seriously whether,
if he were in the city, he would contact the Bureau.
Respectfully,
—vo —
T. D. Quinn.
f
t
Tvf. c<>2*r «*«»•« •«jmt«
• MEL VIN,!PURV1S
r -C'nriie F oe Engaged
JANICE JAB&ETT
“Typical’Ar^--■ Girl” •
&rz.i*W L-mzL
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v**$* *t£.
Bm
liisi
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r*''\i’~ y .\!;-f \* ^ ' 1
B ***&&**# i *
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m •<^-- ' - ,
-
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K(M *i K2*td&.^?'zy*
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mam
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‘LuckyStrike’for'Purvis
...._. , - * 1 ., > ■ • ■ • , • *
3*3 7a i, v,- f VMW «wKeiuiri/'\Janices Jarrett; • thema-
, |9|^Mtows.:mode)j>it vvas;reported^toda^.
■'ftH ‘y?Si and .Miss .Jarrett .'were saM •. ,«Tov,V?v,« t*~ ...v/i
"*r v ' • »** «■
•S v an;Fyancisco.'
' ■ c -< «.....
’ I: ‘- C • r S7 ....
r,, i r ^.«;y „.
*•* * **!«*»»«
1 *• Vv^r/ortl* b
' r»"* 0 ,__
( S ' r - Q
Mr. fas:**
Me. T'’»4r4
'Xri.cv
'-JVo Gcj-Jy'.,.,,.,,
WASH. HEWS
*5580*
'^8
^ :00J
MeJvMJPuxvis to MIL.: : •' - : ' 7
'(ofi&ffllirvg ; (w Raid, on
Woman’sMagazine’Bill
V .4 \V"- iBy/Ray/DciO’Fah^
-Av.story •: which!,' Melvin < Purvisi
urtfolded;in,The Examiner! V-few
- months - agoiwlll.be: retold' tciday
( by, the:, former,. ace'G-mah "during
NBC’S Worn a n 'siMagaz Ine
through ;KFX; at, 3 ;p. m; \ j
I [Now ,;'aC practicing -'attorneylln
' Sah.\FVanriscd,::Purvis s has sap?
1 peered ’.infrequently!! on theVair!
Today,; however," 1 hetells* of *the
raid upon the northera Wisconsin '
hideout Of, Baby, Face Nelsbrvand
'Johnvpiilihgeri*:. >'![ ’ ?, / \ Xci ! -f
1 .In-addition‘to; this f the; Maga¬
zine;: willpresent; its* usual ;fea-!
tures.*, ;,(* • V'> ( i
: •'pbh’tiblameius -for; the! failure 1
i bf.;BobrParii$h;!to appear ohjthe
: Eddie Cantor show.t' Publicity re*:
! leases stated 'definitely, the young ;
[Negro, oncei heard- with : Major
,Bowes,would slnglVX am told-he
, even rehearsed withthe orchestra
1 is -late '-as ;?Sunday,- 1 afternoon!
Those.conhectedwiththe, Cantor
program’ say Parrish! was' ill and
will be presented ■ at a*> later, date.'
-Ill
f
I Mr. M*tfcaa,_
Mr.TolJon.._N
kit.
SsA cu «... .*\\\\
Mfi C n .. OVy
Mr. .\\'X\ V X
Mr.Si!«»..v,.^
Mr.Co’ecrovtS.., \\W
MyGityta*. . V s
'At. K*rt» — v
If Mr. Jwii y... \ \\vV
^ Mr. te.ter.N I'-'yXj
k tAVV'
Mr. TtJKttM. ,f!
Vti.'ttaXT- J/i
KJm Cud/,.
, '»****«0*»**^ m*
\N»
V-
—. XEROX
18.1984;
LOS ANGSLSS;m^INER; '
FEB S 3 ii 937 , ;‘v;- r
At the Sheriffs' Convention which I addressed in Sacramento, Cali¬
fornia, recently, six or seven of .the members of the Sheriffs' Associa¬
tion of Californiaumade inquiries concerning 1 Melvin H. Purvis, a former
Special Agent in-Charge of the Bureau.
I informed them in ;ho uncertain terms that he was no longer con¬
nected :with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and that any books
authored by him, or advertisement sponsored by him, positively did not
have any. authorization from you, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or
the Department of Justice. These men stated that they were glad to
hear this expression from me because there was a-general impression to
the effect that.Purvis' 1 book entitled "American Agent" was authorized
by the Bureau and the Department since peace officers did not dream
that he would dare publish-such a book; without the authorization of the
Bureau and the Department. I tactfully/suggested to certain members of
the Association,, whom I knew to be friendly to the Bureau, that they
could quote me to the above effect 1 .
■While talking before the student body of Southwestern University,
law and accounting schools, a question was asked concerning Purvis. ,T
stated that I did not know positively what his present occupation was
but that I understood he was-engaged,in advertising Post Toasties and
that it required two Post Toasties box tops to join his present "secret"
organization for youngsters, whereas it formerly.'required*only one, so
I .surmised that he had been promoted!
I pointed out to this ^roup and to the Sheriffs and’peace officers
mentioned in the -paragraph above that ‘Purvis was "trading" -on the Bu¬
reau and that certain cases which he claimed credit for handling were
actually in charge of the late Inspector Samuel Cowley. I also pointed
Mr. Hoover
-2-
3/18/37'
T^ile talking with Chief of Police Charles Kelly at Pasadena,
California, during a courtesy call paid him, he made an inquiry con¬
cerning Purvis and I proceeded to "debunk" Purvis. He stated that he
.had always felt certain that Purvis was attempting to "trade" on the
Bureau but was astounded to learn that Purvis would dare to publish a
book such as he did without the specific authorization of the Bureau
and the Department. Chief Kelly stated that he was president of the
Los Angeles County Peace Officers*-Association and that ho would make
a special point to inform its members thoroughly concerning Purvis*
"fourflushing" in view of the fact that many peace officers in Los
Angeles County were under the impression that Purvis* book was speci¬
fically authorized by the Federal Bureau o'f Investigation and the De¬
partment of Justice.
Chief Kelly stated that Mr. Buron Fitts, prosecuting attorney of
Los Angeles County, had attempted to secure Purvis* services for Fitts*
investigative staff. Chief Kelly stated further that upon this occa¬
sion he had advised against Purvis* being offered this position since
he had always felt that there was a "nigger in the woodpile" and that
Purvis was attempting to cash in on his former affiliation with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
I informed Chief Kelly that he was at liberty to quote me to the
above effect and thanked him for his continued interest in the Bureau.
The other matters discussed by us on the occasion of my courtesy-call
on Chief Kelly will be made the subject of a separate communication to
you under even date.
I have discussed this matter thorougly with Speoial Agent in Charge
Hanson of the Los Angeles office and with Special Agent in Charge Lister
man of the San Francisco office and have instructed them that, although
they are not to bring up the subject of Purvis or his activities in any
speeches that they give, if the question is asked by any member of the
audience or by any interested person in conversation with them, they are
to make the facts in the case known, as outlined above.
Sincerely yom^,
HfT"S7 Drane ije ster
Inspector
MDL/EL
Washington Daily' News
March. 10, 1937
“Lucky. Strike’ for .Purvis
tyit- *%'***, l
J&*£ J?*/ *?• w' >' w^* i • -
% 'Jr - ’’’ ’!• * • * f-
Melvin' Purvis, former. G-man 1 and gangster^tche^ hgibeen, ■•
- nabbed by the “Lucky StrikeJGirl,” Janice.f Jaywtjvftietn* ; |
. .tioh’s fc&Wknown advertising model, it, ’.was-reported;,today y.*
.tPurVis and Miss Jarrett were said, to^plaMnngit<>^*,|
- April 20; in Los Angeles. Purvis i^’nowli practicm^lavr^rr,^
fean Francisco. 1 ' ’ , ‘ ( ' X, ,,'i
t,la « 'iV*rtn , M ,.j
??!•.- »w-* w sa^.
nir. CJe-jf.j/.,.,,
Mr. CcSVjy.,
r. foff«ejr
r. K.tn-'
r. Vs-cr-oxti....... ;
% GV.-ria !
to |
|1
'«-■**■» I*
Alt./....., }
! 4 <Tn»ii«M I
r ca I
j 1 J'.r. . a......... . f
jl tlXta GesSy.......... I ;
if }
I .'.V... ui.......... ...... I I
I! ' «I
•*«*-«»*_«**r»» f ,
'’-..yu*. —t—} ;
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
TDQiRCL.
Jffrtieral 2Summ of Inuoaftgation
Unit oft states SJoparf merit of Jfuattce ■
^ HJasIjIttrjtoit, 59. C.
May 5, 1937.
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. TOLSON.
.Mr. Chamberlain of the Income Tax Unit
of the Internal Revenue telephoned and wanted to know if we had
a forwarding address on forner Agent MelvinHrurvis. He stated
that they were trying to locate Purvis In an effort to ascertain
whether he filed his incone tax for the year of 1934 and, if so,
where.
I informed Mr. Chamberlain that we had no
information as to jhis whereabouts, but that the last time we heard
of him he was sponsoring various breakfast -foods and that possibly
the General Foods Corporation could give him some Information as to where
he could be located;
Mr. Chamberlain stated that apparently they were
I not the only ones trying to locate him inasmuch as the papers
indicated that the reporters would like to interview him. Mr.
'chamberlain stated thatihe would send the inquiry to South Carolina
in an effort to -locate some of Purvis 1 relatives to see If this
natter could not be cleared up.
Respectfully,
T. D. Quinn.
;BUFFALO (N.7 .) TIMES
. 3/29/37
Of; _ ;-*rr-rr--—?- Ti .
NewEilmiE :•;
5 •',..: v - •. j:;:^ Qy^^c$tGlar^ Gable;■?./ :V : / ; p!
•/-,?PLLYWObDJ'iMarrh4 90il_V>ii.;«aTr».‘.l.;i 'V<"J \■;*.>.'ll
ine ? W of (a boy,who/gr e w-up onI
s^^anW’iong-
Wen -
|wUts< t»A “Da* «■*’—‘ rt “ *“
iYwVKlsses.’J.ln
jWhfchshewi 3 i.be
.co^&rwdtwith
jRubtooff and the
jRltz iBrothm.;, \|
/1 f IXmne’s .
< •'next f fllmlfor{B. vSk£™ ■ •.
■JC.O.H willsteVSherJOyi or.Li-vlng.*
, ; Dorothy and HerbertFlelds and Jet-
■* pow*nj tmlyrtttnzt the ? jjausfc,
,3j^e^the„ screen play; MV.Gcd«
v gesa Greta 1 Garbo unbent like *■<*>
i^ter a^ruMr iwh^ ©artc'rf Gable
‘Madame 5 Walewska-
:«et i to*< talk f hunting a with'4 Director
«PWnx ■ chatted i hall tan
r^tA^ly Wnted’he must come and
l SKsSS *?-*,? i* > ’»J^arbafa^StanwyckJ
ifej^-to.fali for;tho;tran«r;dr44
• v-M*r5ha'tHunt sttn!
DunnO- i ~z Rob<
wt.;;Cammingsv W1H«build ia -trahch
- 00 ; 7®ubarbaaj acres' heiust
' he*’finishes
Irish'- pie-
:^ u re,.;. Director,; John..: Mr; Stahl* will
vacation.tIn‘4TfcT»>i^i* «vr?'?:
XT. N‘«i« ,...yy*..
Mr. Toll os »W^i¥<'> ■»
Mr. Stations......
Mr. Cltsr
Mr. Coffey .,........
Mr. Divttjr „ iV(«u<
Mr. E«w ,»«..«...».
Mr. F*i worth
Mr. GUvla fUMnaWLffafe**
.Mr, Zl^vko 4«o*aiiM*
,, i'
Mrr J.r«s>b
i>
Mr. wr.*r .■•■»......
Mr. Wv5t>li ( 't.
Mr. Quls*.,
Mr. ScidUer;
Mr. Twnx*
Mr. Tracy_........ |
Mill Oudjr.......... i
mid western.' accent
•- XEROX
JAN'JS‘1984
Purvis. Ex-Chief of G-Men,
to Act. Real-Life Role
IniFMtii VersiQnofWeadEneF
1 By LOUELLA O. PARSO
. i JIottonKctor* Edit,—
\V LOS 'ANGELES,' March 25.
Melvin Purvis; G-Man special*
•NS,*
51st, may: turn actor, writer * and
technical adviser .in one fell:
SWOOP, .The Samuel. Goldwyn
(.Company^ is doing its; best to try •
(and . convince > the ,nian. twho:
trapped Diliinger'that “Dead:
End” i is; perfect !* for*his, screen
.dehut, Purvis* we understand,!*
all but sold on this picture' which <
deals with a group of i boys in'a
New York, slum,. one 1 of ■ whom
grows: up; to : be, a* G-Man,% while
his, pal’i becomes a gangster;
.Even.if the > acting »contract
doesn’t’materialize,', there < is s a
strong, .possibility /.that ^Purvis
will : become technical ‘ adviser
for “Dead End” and: assist ail*
lian*Heilman.In;preparing the
screen, play. ;\Vho betters than
Purvis ■ could select the actor*
to -play; G-Men and. advise' the
director: on: how man shunts 'ar
conducted. The former chief o
F deral investigators, who»no\
b is a law practice in San Fran
cj ico, 1 is expected to marry 'Jan
Ice. Jarrett; March 29.
\
Hz, ps-i.-rSiiaan
t.Jf. C’.ex-J o..........
Ht. or-iy
T i .vsey ..., ,
**■< Kjrsu
fir. F nm-orta, ......
T,Ir. la,In
■< .'oiepi.
Tester
ire. .>l|froi3,
Mr, QwUva,.
lit,
Sir. T**xs^
Sts Tracy,.
Mia* Gaady,
.*».•*.**
NEW YOilK IMiRICiSH
MAR 2 61937
xeroi f
JAN IS 1984
1 1
(
THE MINNEAPOLIS .TRIBUNE, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, MARCH 27,- 1937'
Mr. t l ‘
"drmerG-ManShy^ctrjDirect'dndWriteiih^^
By.LOUELLAiONPARSONS.
•' 7 ’••HoUyw'ocd.iMirch 26./
' jTV’/rELVirM ^URVIS, ?, (
: *1* specialist {may 1 - turn ..aetojv
; ^itexAiAd.; -.techaiwKtdyfscx/s'
’' fa \qb&x fell t swoop.', ; ThefSamuel, > *
-'GoIdwyA l com piny Jls! dying: its; 1
; t "best i to 'tryiand.J convince', ;th’e - *
,‘rnaa'who tripped DiUlngerthat*j
: AOead?‘£ad?-“’ Islperlectjlor'his^
■ sscreth, debut.* Purvis^we .under-. !
: q stand. l is ? all.* hut f told ,'j‘on.' '.
i JpaCtureVwhjch'i deals* '.with a;
Vj group.; o t lioyfliai a‘New*Ybrlc v
Mic.i U
i 'becomes a'gangster.’Even ifthej j
1 lactlng contract .doesn’t, mitejiali';
'-tlie/ there ’j j.> a>strong f posslbil- ■
; * Ity.(that jPu'rvis J will ^becoiie* :
5 tecbhleal>*dviser' for.- 1 . ; ?Dead 1 .
' 'Endl #id assist
1 Hn'i preparing‘- the jaereerf i play.
1 :\Vho : better i than a Purvis * could ■:
'.tjWjeei-ilfee;iiactor* itb>‘pJay* G--.
■ - men;and advlse'tbe'dlrector ’on-,
Aho^ilhahhuhtsiiare il conducted. 1 ::‘
i The 1 former .chief of federal: ln-
1 vestlgator.'Avho^now'hM; *’ law,
I practlceTtfh'fSan?FraneiKO, \i s‘.
1 expected's to .* marry '‘Janice 1Jar •' •
:Jrett : Mareh’'^ ., \ s o V .•*
-— xsno2j
JAN 281384^
(
TKS KANSAS. CITY TIMES KANSAS'.CITY' MISSOURI MARCH,31, 1937.
FROM THE KANSAS CITY YIELD DIVISION‘OFFICE DWIGHT BRANTLEY SAC.
I ^
Ci*I<
y,i, OJf*y
T>*w**y
Kf. .—
Me,
g * *»l^*"*
IfAMMMM*
<a». ^4—
a,.!/.. --
>4i‘i T a
- | Mr.
Mil. Om4jt.....--
V T# r .- ; >> cr.V V/ ■ ^ V-‘'-
• -JMmiJ’nrvis ' to .theJIdvTeT^rA
.j ***, *»nwtmtnt •
'*» o|.'tHVmera,I^Bpea«'“orinv^t&iVionf!,
-* ’’JL' '* ' + ’ 1 w >• r *• «rr, v ,
* to ; tarypunp; Amtrteaiu'
f Perfect ' “G-man,” 'who (ones i facecli the * rattle j
t ^4n<V.fi V *» La. A 1. A.I_' . .. .... . ... * A l - l *«-*J I
? inspiration ,, ^ ( 1 1
To; paraphrase ©n^Jbaxlj^Hioua; plaint,';?say
l lt;aln't sO. Mel” , . i " '!j I
_ XSE03 .
JAN 18 198*
V
l
Japratt-Purvis Bridal-
! Suddenly Galled Off
1
Wedding (Postponed
l After Quarrel vin* '
Hotel Lobby
. 1 SAN ANTONIO, Tex., April
26 ’(U.PA.—The engagement of
• J amee *>Jarratt,; motion ? suture,
I actress, 'an d Mel vi n Un rvi s. I f or.
injer G-man, ;was,' broben-.offvto-.
'night after the pair 1 had an 'argu¬
ment-in;*, hoteHobby. > "
' Miss Jarrett’s -mother -an¬
nounced that'the wedding, Setfor
/April 29. (had -been ‘ postponed - in-
■'definitely.
Tonight Miss Jarratt reportedly
was en route.with members of her
family to the ranch of.friends near
.Victoria; Tex.
Kept Him’Waiting'
The .argument'was (believed (to
i have - started when «* Miss- Jarratt
xept Purvis waiting and;Purvis re¬
sented t it. Miss. jarratt i left"/the
hotel after, the squabble, and. wav¬
ing - nonchalantly > to • a - group t of
friends, said:
“I’ll jsee you later.’*
• Purvis stalled'back > to his room
and i started t packing t his * baggage.
He .left,- through) a i secluded ■> exit;
avoiding? reporters.
• Later it was learned that he had 1
made .reservations, to * entrain-, for
the West Coast at 3:20 a.m.
First, indication * that’.' there' had
. been a break between the nation’s
former aee G-man and the (‘sweet¬
heart .of the Texas centennial’,’
came When 1 Miss Jarratt rfailed to
attend 1 a«pre-nuptlal, party ; given
In ! her. honor. ^
•They, were to have been married
Thursday .nights'in St. Mark’s
Episcopal Church. It was ^esti¬
mated /that more'than‘3,000 invi¬
tations shad been 1 issued -for ■ the
affair. ■» , ,
Dinner Dance Off
jpurvis came (here *frora San
Francisco to-, aid -Miss/Jarratt:In
(final; preparations -’for the mar-
triage, They, attended (innumerable
-social, functions' together, during
■ the Fiesta de 'San Jacinto, ’ i
A* dinner dance, was to be given
[for the cOuple,by Dr, James Nixon \
.tonight. Ttwas-Called; off, at .the ?
..last moment:
vr»ll e/itf*. wed■ dUtribtit.S. ‘the, ”
VVttsM«*«»> .Kerala. . WaohJerteV*'
1 JTfrMe Xew»p.iper, 1. , re««l to . store •
then io.ooa I home* 1 1« • rlty *«<t' .pv
**r < roor« , then i>
XOJ.OOO on Sao<(ay, '
t; i
? . ,5 / ■./ 1
f&ilM
f ■ t <****• «>
t v/j ' v it H
fit*: ■■ A i "•• ii v fJi ft.:
jfVIA
Mns.'. -. iv
mm
"H 1 a '*
. " * •‘‘Li. *&$■ 1
^
^4
JANICE. JARRATT
!HerlG-MariRomance Ends
Kr. J-’aCwa
K?. ToHon.,„„..„.
,i f <r, Jfi.vistluMisu
£ Mr. C. o / 5f >....»»»■»■-
! *-t ■'. Coffey _!
Mr. Pa-sey
j Mr. Ue.vn...
j Mr. ?V< .vcrtJj.......
I Kr. Ghrtn
I Mr. tli* rV.o
| ?; V' SofejiTs
| Mr, Uesl*,r *n..t«.w-
k Mr. KteUoi*. j
Ki*. Qidatu,„.|
Hr. . ./'I! ... r .»
Mr. ~'iaa j
Mr. Ti'r.cy |
_ xktCEf
18 1934;
ss-p-** -
m m
^Bureau of
, JL £». ^OfjHtrhntni of 3?u*it tt
Post Office Box 812
Chicago, Illinois
May 18,1937 *
(A)'
Personal and
^5oaD^8B*isa^
Director ;
Federal' Bureau of Investigation
Washington,!D. C.
'Dear Sir
I desire to advisethat the writer learned that
Mr.; Melvin. H.VParvis was : in Chicago on May 15,
1937, en route to New,York. Gity.: It is understood
"that he plans to sail 1 'for Europe-on the Nornandy
in the’-near'future. 'It was thought the Bureau
nlght be interested in this information.
(
ItETiTS-V/ESK
March 27, 1937
iEngaged: Melrin Purtit, retired adj
CJman who led the band that kille'
Jjhn Dillinger and who now practice:
Mr. Nathan „ ,
Kj.lr. Tolsoa
1 Mr, JSa«sS«!aK>%».#..
T'jr. Q flgjj !u»i
y-fir. Coffey
I Mr. t>iv*»-sey
Mr. .Eitn-o.
*7/ yoxw.rrth , .....
OIr. C.avbt . vf.
Mr. IWbo .. »ki»
Mr, dorepU
: ivir. ayr.
J Mr. Leal
Mr. HicJwU- ...
Mr. Qwlan,.,,-.
Mi. .*...
Mr. Tomw
] Ur. Tracy........
J M's* Candy ....
K \\m,
Ik
i NKWSPMOTOS
Janice Jarratt, ex-G-man’* fiancee S|
in San Francisco, and Janice ]ar\
, blond actress and model. , J i
<£**
I
■ <Trf*« Muk R«tUt*r«4) IIJT, Daily ifirrw IixV!'*"; ' . j
jMan;About Tdicn
: .-, A ; -Ba^ara Hutton’s melting - plan*, ffirstsuspected there i (and ■„ then I
.•denied by her pal*) • appear, to 'interest: New .York, society, pillar*.; who - I
^say her.new, romance. and. next; groom ;}*: a. titled foreigner, * too. sHe'a >
from her'Bronx hus-BOND;: ;Wm. ..Rankin' and; Eleanor. Griff in,,
! ££*!?>*< w*!*** ;«&£ - and .cinema cttlabers, 'Were.-Secretly stitched s at ■
??' Mekkeeko, 6 two; Sunday* ago. The ireason c We' didn’t: flash »
v, ■.•.The ;RusseH'Er$lcjnes ' (she .wasvonefof -; the i
’ Fol A»«>- have! been parted' Since- April Fool*-Day.'
■ * - 7h * - Billy i-Wilkerson*/ otnheiHolIywodd 1 Reporter ’(she was-Billie.
S«w*rd.of >thV-New York-girl-show* )',haveidrifted.,;She-willfrees* ai :
. C<Ul foil'll A‘AbTVifyflti/m. Ann
A r ®p° rt * th'« DailyMirror of N. ; Y., ,t'say* that-a* soon a*
W}(FhiEPlant-Ednai Dunham) ?severance,’d* final/•Plant*i*; goihgitd'
take Marjorie fifing; to ithe altar”.'..Mayfair.'apparently’belng'a-new.'i
- way. Pf v Spelling iWinchell.% ilhe 'Frank' Norrisesi of TmetavHhe .'news-
• itktwas'Ruth. Syroule;. former , Rockett©';hobfer) ■ will be ', a .trio - in ;
ir■I'f. ♦ amazing .fact*:; Cong. * Dicksteiri, a. Hebrew, 'receive* hi* t
attack* from a Joosh magazine!** Hinson flew;to Mani’
• week-end .with .he*;, groom,* tennistar. Fred ’Ferry,’ to make the ■;
•splittefeupper*look ridic., » [ y-; > " • " - -
> - .iXJV s Aow‘* "Orchids ‘Preferred? ’wHekthe; censor* closed f wa*,
■backed byamc tor car biggie..,We. weren’t. much .rightoh that Elainei
Kame-Bill;.Tannen'romanceyhuh?: We reported it was strictlyforithe*
^^st^^'l/orthight.-/^;Mary:iLivingstomi(Mk Jack^
Benny, the; Number 1 Crosley), got;. Cold ,‘tootsiesand t cancelled 4 her, 1
Xedare cf-Lebanon. nose-bobbing ‘ plans.. f Amalie’ Baruch, ) the, bank- J
/ . B> •** no 5? :Mr*.-Polan Banks. , He'*'the 'author. -They .were - sealed s
in Havana.. .Conde.Nast’s boy, JCoudert, and JulietiHauser,, promin- *
• «* n< *ian < ap$][i$ u^tl,. beaded Sf S&tdtt »«• Thty ? $av \ Cbbtiinoff * 1 itbi i
• ;<n .n^»' wa Y be generalissimo of tone at -NBC..;Grand tDuches*.
i cl Coronation Exclusively -for ..Universal;Service..
i She RGBS, from London- on May - 8 th between6:4 5, and .7;P."M. ', -
r,& sto h.«eently. Chief ^Purser, of oneia confined; (or was):af’.Hayhel.*,
moml.Hosp there. . ;hJr3 v Jack;Benny ; probabIy-will*have her'nose ’
fre- !ocoratediat;that., .She"has been-signed;byiPara.fOr:‘‘‘Xhis'-.Way>’
iriease!;....The A1 .Donahues-'anticipate-their-bundlevofiTjoyiin.Oct-.*-
■MY 8 1937
Y >*£/
y. ; !
i* I'*-?* '7>y .«««»%* *4 >,if
J *dr. JttTwojrtln.......
| -'c Ctsvta...........
| u?i. .
1 - \T»
42 -- 3 ( 4 /
- X. 1 dUfV
;S
1 ->-*e
* «
j .«**«
> G«axlr-~^—^
j>_XSROlj
JAN 18 1984 '
j,, ^02
; &td.Eileen‘Wenzel,'.'■who ■wais.to have been ]hi* frau, have defihillyjcejh
I i«l,VRuby ; lNewmaniactually.,“readi.th5s<6n'VaiBroadwa'yi’'delieates$eft- ;
v^'Chopp^-?Hemng—Ceronationf * t yle.-~15c , ’-~heii«bth *, .ArV
i|ie Roddie:Waiuir^ker? preparing a-f?a4h?.;-.‘All t3ia ; mz Stuff.abouti
Sam Goldwyn in the Satevepee’s artideSon him by Aha Johnston were I
®^| t < > ^e5bi<>ggmbr\GoWwyn;bim'«lf > - i ace6rdisiit<>5)iis;'eJium*..'*^
Sihu^ergf.thiy'd have, you.believe,twill be-next prexy,at Universal; * ,v :
^)nnie^h 4 e]^/-n^oredr|let'forvi > arambunt^‘$ay*;;jiope, , 7 ■#'* *<••; v <•
“-Thtysay Garbo arid : Dietnch-fh'eks'haven’t -made •» t nil
George Jean'Nathan ‘.aadi'what; otbe'r^N^w »York;,eritie';ii
;pjace'for cussjng a'customer.in '^Boston'spot.tit's a boy. over at'ithet-
iH.tTardy*;dfithe7Prb$ecStoriDewey>itaff;-;;Katheririe'.’Mayfjeld*b:f;
* “New i Face*// < and ;Pat ? Halloran, I author < ^.‘■"Mulatto’* f are; secretly/
t sealed 1. i/Arthur ?Folwell,~ Sun. drama ed of the. H-Trib, Is 1 back at his desk!
•after.-a jseyereiflui'Attack^fori whiehjhurr’ay !r .; Wright'Ludingtohj,? of -
(the aviation ;biz,iahd^TalaiBireU.'hayV<aJlbt'tin 1 - eommdn,Varib'.there's!:
| nothing VeommonerUhan ( that:.. Billy 1 FaH iff'* * Girl SFridayi’iVirgihia'
|Burri?,1 has? at new’i52hd IStii spot(adJacehtJ <3ufc>J8 i .?A$ide (to>Bill:
IFamsworths’iYes.-butUhatjguyjSs.stiil^onitheilamYromlhisjwifeand
?kid,‘who is gravely ilLYWhat kind of ai papa- is that?'- ! " " ,
, t ( ,\ , ^ •*'- * v i f v - / > ■»!> ey <«« rtifn » a c 1 - y •}
■ lG*«*t« v tMvipby,~ /Lackawanna i-’choo^chbd^execbla/iahd.hEileen
0’Mara;» whoseisis: wasian : Olympie'swim-bhamp.t will-‘shout'. theifi b,e>-
trothal,tosthe.;world 'ontthe "15th. -.1 Orchids,iorchidsiand l orchids,!but
lots* ito' Jay Faggen.' of, the;Harlern'-Uproar: House for doing-what'I’ve
hoped -others would ;do. for itentyearsIl.'iHe'i'ailedianGmposteriwho
doesn't; work ifor' u^' .nor.: i$-[ ho Jcne-* of;: ray*acquaintances S* And
another thing} Even! if. I had anyone;working •/or. me~it’doe$n’t'mean
that tthey/cari '■{ threaten i anybody for 4dihe'ton7ahybnt’s/Cuff!.
Clelland <Barclay.and .Virginia 'Moores one._ of our. exclusivc/romances,-
betrothals. and, foori fmaroages will; blend on/AUgfl ,~.1W ill* J ed; Kiley,
be;bes.t.: man * or? one/bf* theriv at’ 1 the!'Duke tof^W/SimergerXtnTWillis
Simpson? 1 •» iMargie i French; '■/JohhyJaeob VAstor’S« sis-indawj X and /J,
Wilkin twill marrytiri'a month, Heiwas mehtibned ! ii»-hSr.'diyofceifrom
Fritz Zarbmizsi/ whoever, he is .V; Margie ■ Kasper/a'. Powers' model/ and
one j of.thetWhitney, 1 newiews-1 are ) Red.tHot * arid iWhe w!.Town Utobi
Country’s . 1 incoming -'mail \ girl k {Olga / Handler b ?is f betrothed -Ito/lhnt'
mlgasine’i ^utgbing^maiUmari/i.George .Douglas) 1.Isn’t' 1 ;a /WatI
S*eeter namedlUhtermyer;a*backers(besides ; Ben'Smith)v 6i:-M«rfuns
fjL r x
Mwx '
r- i
•'A tw^'
*7,
Pictur esan d: ;■
' 'Personalities
. Melvih.Purvis,' ex-G : man t *has
been >. asked f by. Samuel * Goldwyn
jto'play r the:chief: Federal .'detec¬
tive. role lh "Dead; End’-’, and "also
to act ^technical adviser on the'
scenes' showing ■>the; ambush of -a
i public' enemy, .The i screen.'■yer-
f $ion ^'parallels :the*melodramatic
end, of John Dilliriger In Chicago,
which - Purvi%; j y c jadlted -with
engineering;' ,,
,Mr. CoS ?y ,,, J.
Mr.' D*w,(er *
,Xr. * m t
ri'oxwortt,
*■»*)»•* <
CHvin * **%• <*«■,«(
Mr.H*rb»
’K». Joeepa «■«* ^ ■
Mr.
Xr.
Mr. Sch-U4«r.;......^j
Mr. T*xon»
Mr.
MiM G«adjr.. «< ;
, , - 5
>MUW* (
•' " ( ,. ,r'
«••••« »*•*»*•■«•••*«««»^ >
twwn i w** <» * ■ » »■ 11 » «
V<. M .
■ : ;‘i ■ i
■**-f
. ,.;,5
\ A
i' *\V
*’*. f
■- ^ \
jtfew York Post
APR 271937
SAN; ANTONIO, 'April' 2^ (<OT) /—
Melvin’!- Purvis, the ‘former' G-man
who “got'his-man,” went .West;to*
ln' Ctrtal ! F »>m —ie~--
Melvin ‘Horace ’-Purvis, i Jr.,
mow gets', along 'without* the 5
Horace or the Junior, hut!Is
1 atm I Little >Mtl • around <' hi* '
‘.pappy’*- 2 , 000 -acre ' tobacco
.plantation! ?atm 1 ‘has 'that
■ .saouthCalls* i drawl,- -like*' ,
: hi*.grits fried,; with-pork, on-- ;
■ ! the side.,This traditional dt*h,
competes with - rest Toastie* ■ ,
i (which i he i indorse* > t for - his •
i ‘ breakfast -'favor .i '
' • Despite’these i starches,; he- ■
• keeps weight down to ..130 -
pounds;.'harden* it on hOrse-
‘ ' isck; ’ ikeeps In voice .by
! Jheerlng at baseball and foot*
I 'tall! gaoae*: '-keeps his - ;eye ■
itv at pjstoi practice,* collect* >
suns . »nd.,.antiques; i goes 1 to •
1 'theatre-' regularly, * suffers .
‘from nose and throat trouble.
<J*y without I his»woman,the. 5, beau-
* * **«•*--» -2*.- -. *. •, •<,MLrtrm*,»,
PURVIS: ATTHEIR' EH G AGEMENT-
■- I-' .- ! ' 1 1 " ,*• ,,
*tiful -Jphice •• Jarratt, to'- whom the
ha'd!been betrothed. . *■ ’ , ’
' ‘ There ‘were - sharp, • -words -,in, r a
hotel 1 lobby last night, - Purvis, who
captured - 'John -Dillinger, -.stamped
away; Miss 'Jarratt tripped out non*
cfialantly,.waving, farewelt?to>wn*
panions; and the bride-elect $ rather
announced thatHhe-wedding.: which
had i been < scheduled -for Thursday,
w'as ■ postponed, indefinitely.
1 Cause: of. the.,di$putc\was'$sId-.io
have been,* that <Mfss /Jaxrattikept
Purvis-waiting 1 in .-the* lobby. -A*-- *
prelude,* the. sweetheart of the Texas
Centennial. - who 1 - h*s 'fignCd! a -con¬
tract inHolly wood.wa;* said to have
ignored; 4 - pre-nuptial {party 4n her
honor;
with*
tv WSr •» w -T.— ” „
1 blue-eyed,-,blond«L *nd- once-was.re-.
1 ferred .to as'.-the'.-most photographed I
2hl:inVtheiw0rJd.’ ■ '.' I
..... .
Ml
t
Post Ufflae Box 8Xt|
Chioago* Illinois,
June 1, 193?
P - *
Director, '' ?
federal Bureau of Investigation, „■ t '
Washington, D* C. ; A* '
Door sir.
On the evening of Ay 30, 1937* the writer attended
Iho annual banquet of the Wisconsin Junior Chanber of comers*
Convention whleh ms bold la Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
Thorn wers approximately three hundred persona present
•nd the writer spoke to the* for approximately an hour on the
general work end activities of the Bureau* This croup oeeoed to
ho exceptionally responsive sad very intensely Interested. Those
present can* frost all ports of ftisooosln sad constituted the
lenders of ths many local ehnptere of the Junior chamber of Coa-
aoroo* Many favorable ooments wore hoard aaong the ambers re¬
garding ths Bureau* and during the evening the writer had occa-
oion to asat practically all of thoee la attendanoe*
Ur* 0* ?♦ Finn mi elaoted President of the state
organisation and it la reepeotfully suggested that hie name he
placed upon the nailing list* Bis address is Rhinelander* aria-
consin.
It la also suegostod that the nano of H. U Sohasysr,
Baavsr Ban* Wisconsin, he placed upon the nailing Hat in view
of the foot that thia individual la a former President of the
organisation and seena to hold a key position in the State
organisation*
Ur* £rnest A* Braheia, Salsa Manager of the Daniels
Manufacturing Company* Rhinelander* noted ae Toaatnaster. X-
had oeceslon to vlnlt with hin at considerable length* Be* too*
wee extremely complimentary, regarding-the B^ri
/* 3. Daniel* of the
. f\ -3'^^*7 '
It 1* respectfully suggested that f, 3. Daniels of the
Denials Manufacturing Company* Rhinelander* Wisconsin, and Oscar
W* Johnson, President of the Junior Chanter of Cameron* Rhine**
lender* be furnished with the usual Bureau releasee and apples
A
/
JAN 18 1984
of the Director’* address** beoao** of the Interest that they
Manifested in the work of the Bureau, end the writer told then
that he would request the Director to furnish than the above
Material,
On Sunday afternoon* Chief of Police Usuries Straub,
who has occupied the office of Chief of Police for thirty-four
yaere end ie now in hie dotage, called upon the writer In Me
hotel rooa. Be told e long-winded etory about seeing pllllnger
and iwwab era of the geag at the hotel two days prior to the
little Bohsnla affair* He then went on end stated that bed the
Agents, when they arrived la Rhinelander by plane, contacted
him he oould have guided 'then in such a way as to aueooaefolly
oapturo the whole outfit* X very frankly told tho Chief that
if X were he X would wake no oowneat such ee that, partioularly
when he aaw Billinger two days before that and did not take the
peine of notifying anyone. The "old boy" sort of quieted down
then. Be seemed exceptionally friendly* however* end at no
tin# while in Rhinelander did X hear ana "aour note” about the
affair at Little Bohenla. The Poatnseter, incidentally, who
wee laetruaentel in olrouletlng a petition oeillng for the
suspension of fomar special Agent In Charge 14. H« Purvis, ie
now deceased*
Chief Straub, in the oouree of hie etory, stated that
after the affilr he had talked to Hr, Purris end the latter had
informed hint that he had been instructed by Washington not to
eey anything to the local Police. X informed the (Met that
X knew nothing about the details but if sueb wee the ease, it
we* merely beeanee tine did not permit then consult in# him prior
to going to little Bohenla.
shil* on the train returning to Chicago, 1 net with
Hr* Ernest A, Sarah*In and Charles Steals, the son of fonaer
Judge steels of Rhinelander, In the course of the conversation,
Steele stated he wee very well acquainted with Hr, Purris and
thet he understood Hr, Purvis drank himself out of his position
MV«r*l /lira ago, I info mad hi* that 1 kntw nothin about
tha data11a, Ba ataiad ha had baaa *ovrt" with Purria oa
a***wu aaeaaiooa and ha* aaaa hi* pro tty wall "lit up",
Btaala atatad that Mr, Pumria waa proa* to do ooaaidarabla
talkiag aftar ha had had a faw driaka,
Thia waa rathar an latareatiag obaarvatioa aad 1
thought you ahould haw* it,
Vary truly yotura,
LBKtwre
i
U 3* NICHOL3,
Purvis Heads-for Europe]
After Gracked Romajice!
, Ijew -York, May 20 C^.-^Dis-
I guje?d as - ('Oscar Smith', M .Melvin
Purvis, former "G-man" who 'was
credited ’ with' tracking ■ down. 'John
Dillinger, ‘was ;Europe-bound ? 'today
aboard tKe -Trench *liner .Norman-
'die. The'fawou* > sleuth, ’■■whose. ro-
> mance- with .JanicetarraU, -Holly¬
wood , movie actress, ■ >recently
cracked up.slipr*d aboard the liner
i a Uew minutes before its-departure
yesterday, ■ ■
% ' reason tor 1 his trip kbr sad
.'xenUlned i'Purvis’ secret, -althoigh
tttviW.intimated'that he was seek*
.log Ao < get “ -away from it /air* -a*
NOT KECOKUETI /
WASH. POS,
It'IAf ^ 1 bal
pliRVISMEX-FIANCE^ s $
J PLAN S MEW YO RK'TF IP
Ej’ the Associated press. ‘ ‘ ‘ ?
-SAN ' ANTONIO., Tex:, June ,1^—
Mlss.Janlee vlirrett, Texas’ ■ "centen¬
nial i sweetheart," who brolce-it oft • her
engagement tcrMelvih^BK aS. former
ace Cf-marClast month oaths eve; of
their weddlng/will spend the summer
i here - with ;her .sister, .Mrs.- < A* J. v Rum-
mel. it was’ learned last right.
.I%nds<said. Mlss.Jarrett .win-'.ar¬
rive here today, -titer,-It.was, 1 Re¬
port d, she plans to go to New vc nc.
M ss Jarrett, former model, depar ed:
.from San-Antonio • abruptly shoitly
before-the-date■ set for-her-marriage,
'Purvis also hurriedly left the city.* 1
i — ‘
i
C 0 P If
j-aiacs
*1' 7'f /{ 'i'
t
June 17, 1937.
Mr. Si B. Banyon,
Editor and Publisher,
Xbe Hews-Palladium,'
Bentoiv Harbor, Michigan,
Beer Mr, Banyon:
Your kind ; letter of June 12, 1937, has been
‘received, in which you acknowledge receipt of a copy
of ay recent address “Problems in Modern Mm Enforce*
ment"whibh'-I delivered before the Penn Athletic
Blub. ; " ;
•- ' ■ , I deeply -appreciate your Commendatory remarks
concerning my ’.vork as Birector of the Federal' Bureau
of Investiga’tion. ‘ ‘ \ ,
■ . 4
i * > . , ' , ,
v There in enclosed herewith a. oopy .of'the address
which t delivered s t .Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, '
Michigan, which it-la, hoped you will f ind of Interest. \
j an taking the liberty of .placing *y our name "
on our'-mailing Hat so that in the future you wi.ll
.receive publications of our organization as they are •
released from time to time. > .
' ’ > „ , ' „ „ _ ,, * •> ,*
■ Sincerely'yours, : . '
J. 'Edgar Hoover
.Enclosure, ■’
\
XEROX
m 18 1984
muuxcLf imisaiira ccuAuy
flhi lILES-ROXf-DIll!
.BUTTON 1 L-H 302 , MICHIGA II.
June .18, j$37.
-Ur. J. Edgar Ihoyev
.Federal Bureau'of investigation
United States Department of Justice
Washington, 0. 'C,
Deer Hr. iioover;
TUi'S will -acknowledge receipt of your .recent en¬
closures dealing with your recent Philadelphia address
.and the 'booklet on .your bureau.
Shank -you for letting me .have ‘these. 1 hnve always
been greatly interested in the lira ,ork of ,yo.ur bur .ecu*
rleep -it .up, 'from tine, to time ,c ota ,hud editorial
endorsements of y.i.ur campaign against the criminal in¬
terests.
f'l £
1 might .say 1 regretted ~v- ry much to see Vurvis
leave the a rvlce. 1 .U nrd him -talk uere a cou;le of
years or no ago to a group of southwestern Michigan
lav/enforcement officers end It nought ha dL-id a par¬
ticularly fine job in enphes irfiij ten necessity of
close cooperation between your deportment ud local
officers. You know as v/ell •< a 1 do -there is " great
deal of opposition h. t.Le activities of your men hen
they seemingly interfere with ‘the local officers. If
that -feeling could be successfully dissipated to %jh
point di'cre local officers all over the country ere
'7illia,j to coopt rate vdth ‘the federal men 1 think we
would .get m lory ways temrd the goal toward welch
-I nnow yo.u ere //orking. 1 ,ope .somebody in the de¬
partment is currying forward this phase of the work
•v/ldch -it ‘seems to iae Eurvis was sc successfully carry-
in: on.
■)
S3d:l.UC
Cordially your3,
'■'% 'S/ ^ JiJMgi WP'*' tmm
v - ■ Editor and Publisher
Stefceral JSumut of Irtursttsattoit
ISmtrfr §tatra department of 3uatice
1105 Mills Tower,
San Francisco, California
September 1, 1937
N f*
PERSONAL AND CONFlDIiMKA L
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Washington, D. C.
&
Dear Sir:
R3: MELVIN PURVIS
While with Mr. and Mrs. a.C. Matti, Mrs.
Florence Kahn and Julius Kahn, her son, yesterday, before and
after dinner, the natter of Melvin Purvis cane up.
3 Ut, t;
1 if. .1
~ - * ‘i
_ i 4
Mr. Matti stated he knows definitely that
Purvis is in Paris at the present tine but that it is not known
just how long he will be there or what he is really doing. He
also stated that he had seen Purvis at the Bohemian Club several
tines, which' is unusual unless a person intends* to beeone a
member of the club. Purvis' name, however, was dropped and
Mr. Matti stated it was just as well because he would never have
nade the grade. It is the general opinion of these people that
Purvis has slipped a great deal as.far as respect and position
in<San Francisco are concerned, especially since the marriage
failure. It was observed that some of the friends'of the wife-to-
be and Purvis are somewhat chagrined at the fact that their
wedding gifts have not been returned despite the fact that the
wedding has been called off.
f
Mrs. Kahn told me that Purvis really has little
standing with many people out here and that the worth-while people
take little stock in his "what-I-did" stories.
Mr .Matti, Mrs. Kahn, and I, each of us,, have
several leads outstanding at the present time concerning Purvis*
connection with the law firm with which he is associated and how
he got in and as to what he is really doing.out here. These leads
are of the type that eannot be pushed but when we do get the in¬
formation it will be good, we are quite certain.
I wanted to give you the benefit of what I did
have so far and to assure you that I am overlooking no opportunities
to develop every bit of information concerning this matter.
w .-wf t» i .—i i ■ i- i. ■
XEROX
JAN 18 1984
1 <
- ' y, 1 j , i *
^•p.WBariksonHeat ‘BenPjit^Up^oo^
i O MTIUU O ^ • * ‘t \ . . s
^Spurnsp5mBW \ ^Bi&mnWotMnion 3 •
V,!' r -J, , \ I ' .* '■ *V ,' ',. ' y j<I
.a Montik.Wiik Sowe'indicates)i6ati despite aaJ
P^tbrough'a compromise bill’abotit a Week after:
the .Fourth i j,; The j PRESIDEN3fthbp es 5 to f apply,- not ■ only! his;
S 516 ?- 6 W aIso , tJ iatof the,weather,;whIchshould work -/
,wo|deM,on'i sweltering:. Congressmen:. fLEONrBLUM'Sserit J
as^Premier ofFrance is supposed,to bea'beautifully,executed: 1
•fBLtJM wished,to duck the respohsi- J
KEfiS«isi^ andfis {letting! CHAu-'f
official circles in Washington wouldn't:?
WfeS^i?4v v— t;t ^® ari<i ^^^“swgents'launchtanf
,{?. a “ a J® r \ w ^ r ” ;B «t is,verytlikely> to happen thisVtim©*
^H J A^ 1 OS^JA B RR^^and ^MELVIN £
.*K&WS,,the.G-Man who cot. ’nTT.T.TTjriftj sii?iwrmrrrrrfi.i
thb„ 1 M r ■iT. 2, * ',wm, oe;n.o.-nuqway;at,
b Jten tierfa * * ' r £- r * V' \ an ««nt'[institution:? having }
hijen declared 5 passe by the [experts; It ; , "v ; ^
SEW YORK EVESi'lG JS 8 R 881
Fcrmit:! by S*s TorJt 0 K ! $t
■< w -»**-** ** i******.
es.VL......
>/*„..
Mr. K,«A
Sir.
Mr. CT-.vU.;n.trr. j
Hr, Hvr*.,-* j
Mr.
j
/a/ q-uIou^/kC.
'•••MAMM 4 ^
I
^/VWy...
SSm Ouiy.„,„„„
>»»»»■» KM* a*
‘j Wirt** *••*«*» »
^Hfr •»>««*» : w —■ » «<
.IUL3-I937
IvvwJi.
vj
XEROX
JAfTlS 1984
UL/S'J! //"
COPY
FBI
U ti DEPT UP JUSTICE
■1105 Mills Tower,
Ban 1 rends co, California
July 50, la 37
PEBSQMaL WD COJilDEfTlAL
Director,
-Federal Bureau of Investigation,
"ashington^ D. C,
Dear Mr. Boovers
- 0 , , For ?our information this will advise that
were ldf AgentS Fn ' bar « e h » *• Smith and-K. B. Nathan
rL e „ ^ d practice law i» the State of California
a couple of weeks, ago.
So far .as I have been able to ascertain,
f5J°5: hime their energies were donfined .to study¬
ing -for -the Bar examination although it was generally reoorted
they were associated withj^Yln^urd.a%nd at the present '
time are reported to be engaged in the "practice of law".
fa* though there seems to be some mystery attached
f cti Tf tes of ? urvis prior to his .departure on a Euro-
wav | ener f U y b f 1 ' ievfed he was connected in some
ff^ cFs Neylan, one of the leading attorneys
Fn . State of California, and who represents a number of in¬
terests including William Randolph Bearst matters.
y w« l u ^ There ? as been a rumor to the effect that
Mr. Neylan had some plan in the making with relation to Mr. A P.
Giannini, who is vhairman of the board of Bank of America, and
also Transamerica Corporation, which I believe is the boldine
rT of Merica * T he rumor was to the effect
the .Mr. Giannini had some sort of an tinderstanding with the
whereby the national bank laws -would be amended
holdt^ t -!^ a ^^ SUCh * aS * t i e Banj£ of • AfflerAea 10 extend their
d n d i ff ? ren J states -» ^der the same cor porate set-up
and that Jlr. Neylan had probably -interested Melvin Purvis in con-
Inter°st With this future development of the Bank of America
1 baVe 'observed that the Giannini interests have
from time to time acquired banks in several other western states,
ind far tb0 y have been -yn Ber Individual set-ups,
** B “ k 01 ***** "vMln
, -f"'*
V ' f
//,
,TER0\
JAN 18 1984
- 2 -
•Efforts 'have been made to obtain more definite
-information concerning this without success; however,
upon the development of any .additional inf ormation the
same wi^i be promptly furnished.
■WLLiMLA
Very truly yours,
(S) W. L. ETSTERMAN,
Special Agent in c hafge
i i
i
KJ-'OXVILU' N^S-S?N?,INFL
Knoxville, Tennessee.
July 27, 1957
Purr's 'Just Old Family Friend/ Says
WITH Knoxville ■ social Circles * discussing. the possibilities ofra-Y
'romance betweenattractive Mrs. Marion Atkin Akers and Tdel-
ym • Purvis, former' ace G-man, who has Just made a 'week-end whit" 1
here,- Mrs, Akers said today that ‘Wre just good friends » •
The ;youngest • daughter, ot,the 'late- C. *B.‘ ,Atkin, : /millionaire f i
Manufacturer, realty owner, and capitalist; said it was nothing more
toan -family friendship . that f caused/Mr. 1 Purvis, - who. Sicefainted.' :
iown; public t Enoxny ‘No* *,% ohnj JMUinger,: to. como to f Knoxville ' *
Hm.ost.immediately-uponfiS'arrival in thelUnited'States'from.a- :
yip-to Europe. . 1 ’
.^5 r> -Purvis •. departed .hastily "for Europe; y*few days ■-after! hisc l
vedding - with -Miss - Janice .Jarratt of ;San Antonio,' Texas, ‘fell,
broughtthe:mght'before' the scheduled,,ceremony,’ last ’April27! ! *
From KhoXville-Mr. l Pur\ns-.is said‘to'-have gone to‘North Caror - -
inafor. av«it /this* week-with'his mother- before --returning* to the ; '
>acific.Coast via■-Chicago. 'While! here-for-the week-end,he was'a' I
■ { the ho f~. Mrs.. C. 'B. , Atkin, /Mrs.,Akers'-mother, on -. t
Vest,- Main, .and‘.withiMr. and,Mrs. E/■ R.»Lutz,. Kingston-Pike., %
Akcri^nd^MWavLutz sisters/ f ^* * * ' T r ' f <«' t
ers
L ■'T"* ■# ,*1
7$* >
. 1; -L/; 7 1
* I/! '/) •*?>/ * \>Vi%
ICRSWfcMSWl
t/TR. ..LUTZ - said today- that' he '-and “Mr.VPurvis -tare -fraternity '
r -brothers, .■ i> v ' - ' > 1 ■ -•'<■, ‘ • ' :* •
i ' “V® have all known him’for a-number bf-years,”ihe added.' ' '
, ,Mr.;Purvis.was>a;guest of.the Atkin-and Lutz families,-at the-
^erokee-Country-Club ■ dance. Saturdayinight
Mrs. Akers *. went to • Texas ’.for the; intended -Wedding, of /Mr.
Urvis:and-Miss Jarratt list spring, £ '
... ^ U ^ V1 *' tys/gnod ■ fronvthe-G-man service - severalimonth's-;
iter the drap.he laid-resulted in 'the, fatal shooting of-.JohtvDillin- •
er outside a 1 Chicago movie house. .Rumor had‘it that Mr: Purvis’ ‘
* r tbe.Dillirfgcr case-had brought on-friction'between -
^andJ.Edgar Hoover, chief of the'Federal Bureau of inVesS
’ iiv*: Myf f
p;&vu&.&dA
.j’ • < ..jj*<■**•'• 'f' •'t' % i
featoSst^folp jd * y C0WIC ^PP^ment,- sponsored by
iKNOAVILLE NEWS. SENIINa
>y:a; well-known ■; yj.
' - w -0 ..
, JTtr. To,on.,._
L I*-
* Mr.
‘ <T*<£ 4 faMt tiL
’*?• C«Wf«y
/ Mr
Mr, Foxworth
Mr. C. 1 ..via
f.lr,
Ilir, Sn*rpb
ttte, FrOvtor ,
'' '.Attrocttue Mrs.rMarian •Atkin 'Aktrt, and (inset) iMtlviruPur*
’ts,.whQ she s<ivi^todayM-"ivsVa,90Q<t':fri$n<t" pits. Akersfis a
l ,/ « - "
^yj.UL-27 1937
{■»■?*'•» .......
MSfaU r-uJy a .
JM1 18 1984
' X// l/M'M' uy W ’
, «Tri.3« Merit XtefUtereS) cWrtsM, 1157, UaUy Mirror; !»<-, *
Notes oha (NewWorker i» ' .
Those cittoooists are overdoing that caption under, their hilt-billy
1 ehild-bride ? picture I in • the; mags, j to; wit; • “If»yew,- don't J,bring, in; *
' better report cahd than, that-^I’ll .'divorce jrttf.. .Whatever, gave-the -i
movie hSsteritt for the JST. Y«\ Times <tKe idea ithat the .Hartmans, •,the
travesty 'dancers, are ventriloquists?. y 1 Seems to me that John 'Ander--
son is •penning * the most- readable of, the .memos on' the -Big Town:
amusements.’. .Wonder/why - Margot;-Grahame,. the’-British /, actressy
never,decorates her.pallor with rouge? ,-Her,skin'is even whiter than
new. bdm show. AThat monument'Jo Father Duffy.just doesn’t look
right out there where BroadwayTdiyorces Times'Square.. .The-sector
is hardly up to his dignity. , V ,
'• * Wonder : why, Kay, • Cameron, the - tallest*of t the, show,, girlsf.atjthe]
Paradise/ irivariably gets the giggles every, time >he hasto<bend:.ov*v
to" help pick, up - the sinner in ’ the 'white. georgette;; who . has., to {go to
purgatory?...My idea of a pretty good time is to sit at;a table hear,
the door of the 1 Stork - Club and ■..watch, nearly everyone * come ■ m - 1 .. !
They.all make such 'an-“entrance".;.Even those:who don’t pay!!.
used up two hours!in.bed last night trying to jot downa li$t,of-three
important!'people,-^and; couldn’t , think .of ''one..;Ik.mean;* important
enough hot to bemissed,. .'Incidentally, seven of the most ‘important’’
people'in movies^ show business,.fight racket and'other professions
used to gather about; the same comer table at'.The .Tavern five yean;
ago.. .Today all of them ar e dead,, " , ..'v, \ ‘.I
•Tbit*, appears to become.mourning* over the;passing'of<all;thbse
night spots on West 52nd street ...Just so long as Jack White and'Pat
Harrington' arid i Leon • & i Eddie'V remain—the ‘ other ;30odd; places; do
mot matter.and never did.. .Wonder, if,that.womri'.who sasses.people
who won’t kick’in with-coins, hear 5.1st,and !?th,-ever.took-a;bath?l.V
The boysVwhO’sit at,the same comer'table;up,frontTin.'Lmdy'*:,are
V 1A V OCWAAV »*W* * » A V ^
surveys, kept mine—where’ it islisted as corny; v ..j
, T hive witnessed, many scenes ,butthat; newspaper i peddler; who
pickets on 42nd Street West of Broadway—and crowds you and insults
'you if you buy a; paper\ from; the' newsstand ,man-~is < one •; for? the
^newireeis;. Only a
l if;Ruth-Ettihg is? I
'Milton'-Berle would-... .... „ -
;at that Astor Theatre preview.. .That perfume called “Joy. brings out
;, the-Mussolini In me..."No. woman is more, refreshing to look; at-.than
■‘Mary, Astor. ..One of;the hardest'things to do—is to lie to someone
and "Ariel turned out- to be Caliban' and; Kit*
HI- M 4 * I 7 -*** ~hC < ,
, The Pilace pavement pounders must lie bored stiff looking at" the'
samej faces all these years.. IThere oughta:be; a//awYagaIn$t•«putting
whipped'cream‘in»chocolate;sodas. .’. Mel Purvis.-the-former'G-p an.
’ ’ ’ ’so desolate a s he walke d Iistl^slS5 j3ae.#&ja^e.^laJkxsn#
Mr.
Mr. Dswrej-
* T * ■< **» t mi
| Mr. Fex«w*l».......
| 74 . CUrlrt...........
/X/ Ir ^ •■—•yt"
jl lx, H * i itMfeeH***
.New York Daily Mirror
AUG 4 1937
XEHOX
JAN 18.1984
\
\
., ‘ Wish'iSomeSatvrspipit* wouldifexetat/.leastrone >humorist.I'm
(starring- for,anything]lighter, than thcr*vaUn«h*;of 'para^«iph*rs t wh<)
sare trjhng.to improvetheworld.. .'Life’s feature: by-Art ist'Hirschfeld,
• who W th only a; few. strokes of the;pen makes notables'look! like each
other,' t good stuff.’ 1 ;; But.Vanity Fair,used arimilar'riunt.with smimal
photo^ and 'famous;bores ,.'115 can f remember.-' when! George! Raft.4 the
act or,, would slug a guy.who made an unwise 1 craek 1 about 1 him'., JXow,
Kaft walks away, and 1 tells-ybu:-“This raeketlpay*. biy;money,’.buV rot¬
ten ;publi<ity/i. would £ kill i it',';. ;The< hon$eri$e\ih* -‘You-/Can’ti|HavV
Everything" ,that5throws: me: is * whemW.ianinger. tells •-Harry, Hits 7 ; that
helmay; hire ;'AlieeiFaye,<and?RitS’says •'.ftYou': know wherer'shellivesTij
At s the VYAWJ C,1‘A.'.'...To which aWinninger, gives * him rone ;of ‘-those
looks : andrtays;.‘tWhat?",fA ndl;Ha>Ty , re t'ortjs;;<- , ,'S(>;hejp;met’' /• ' 1 ’
, (First: tlm«\ in',years:thatTNew.lYorklha*tno 1 gang!thief• whom! th•
garettestean?eall*‘‘Public.-Enemy^No.. 7 l"; ; . ’.Those r.Wilke'rsbh* *sur‘e
can^ehahge their minds. 7, After advertising that his ex-wife; Would resume
•en’svre-
Fuehrer
.. .... ....., „ ....... JL never
usei thVword: ‘‘titisenship’^on lthe_; radio, again, .'.The? man whothis
that : beautiful rdog ;namea < ‘,‘Red ;Rust" fused .to; have! a i more', effective!
ITht .’guy.twho's invented! the/repeat < broadcast ithe : same's nighty is
the:only/persbn'-T[reanyihate,“,uhless?itd*ithe ; guy;who'tells!me how
much he enjoyed a paragraph bethinks he readelsewhere—thatThad
.. ;The, only .;newjphrase;-I’ve, seen 7 irriyearsis ;■ "Swing-ding,’.’/' created
by^thelhot :mu$ic 5 brfgad*s i, 1 Wonder how * trdeithat|legend*i» ?>-The
one .’sent 7 , out 1 bya t Mid-West * university." that i only 7 one t out r off .every.
19825hewspapermeh?ever c simountrtd (much;. /Another'comedian.: who
never .wearies mdds*Jbe';LeWi#;r,whosmakes thefpebp!e;who:are. listed 1
|is his superiofs’laughridud; 1 iMyrna Loyylmarried a;yea'r,iwassurged
f to'pass.'out’a ifew a . pointers ©nhowito succeed (as a.wifev f iWelLYone
^way.wo.uldbefolbok‘asmuch'aspossibIe;like"Myrna:Loy.'’:- ) !
•' iTheiRiymond Sco tt< quintet dhi two 'words: ‘-Tnstfu m cntalLitera-
sture’'. . , .N.-Y,‘has a trolley.conductor.with a sensayuma. . -The one on'
^theU2hdJSt.'>cfbs$tdwh;‘car:wh<)iiwhentit';pausesi.at^GrahdfCentral
{Station, 1 calls out! "Change here for Chicago!’?.; IMae West' tried hard
ltd : settle, matters, with'Frank .Wallace'- out. of-’court,but-he* didn’t ; con¬
sider !?30,000,enough<:o f melt his nuisance'value. v .One.hew;Yorker,
j absent from the Broadway Sceneifof a'long stretch,'was asked why he
didn’t 'do ,the 7 night spots more;often. t ; "Everytime ;L go ■ to ; them,, ihe
1 JJ1* * / AfVXUJlVUAV. * W UVbV i specialty 1 is : making ;> • muscl© J in {her; Shapely!
i chest.wiggle.-She came to Join-a giriesk show—and her aunt? a.former
rmember, of .the • beef •, trust,’who did it for years-htaughtfit to 1 her. 1 ;, ■ :
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
CC-160
Mr. NMhM
CT:ACS
Sffrfrrral Burnt tt of Jrtursftgattott
Huff zh §tatrs ^Department of tUtstiee
iHaaljtngton, B. (£.
/
/ Mr.
S' Mr.
Mr. taufhmM
Mr. C*ff«y mmmmmmm
Mr* F>xw#rfl»
Date 12-22-37
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
Mr. Mdatlr* _
Mr. Naught**
Mr.
Mr. Settl'd*'
Mr. Yra*y ^
'Mr. Murphy, who is connected with Mr. Ton R. Shipp in the Albee Building
called me yesterday stating the Bruce Barton Advertising Company in New
York has been trying to locate Melvin^Purvis and he wanted to know whether
we knew his present address. I told him we.do not know anything about
Purvis.
I (llffj
✓
OECST^
Clyde Tolson.
Signature
XEB03
JAN 18 1S84
•«
-"Wy (whole"’thought } Kix 'lxin/to
Czrdi n» a i saf*M4eccnt
place'in!WiUOi
a nd,<h«
Carolinian. **
GdyernorvJohnston 1 Makes
i sRaBioAdclress.
IN >EIG HT ! ON : jGRIME
[ Declares There tWill? iBe
»jNd jtetup.jnfEffortsJtd-' ,
s’Secure Unifiedf System.', j
. V r '.j; ; - t \ i '
: i S.tWtJy ; ^Aiming 1 that j there < wwH
be “dp letupih my efforts for a state
, police •* system” ’/ and i expressing. ‘ hope
that rthe, people', of■’ ^ South 1 : . Carolina
1 Would: r&tU behind ; their ? represents-
* 1 tives iin f this', unselfish ; cause ? for r the
happiness, and .security^ o t? our { law-
abiding citizens”. Governor Olin.J ohn->
jton’last night, 1 in aradioaddress from
1 Charlotte,-: discussed / erimc ^and ’law ,,
enforcement. , , , a i i ' 1
“It is hay desire to'diWua crime and 1 ,
law; enforcement eyitiv. frankness,”. the
governor < dedareju,: saying he ; would
give .special atterjtion; to conditions'in
South Car^inn 'Which 1 ai^ most ,
familiar,, and, ‘ ha* orally;'as': governor,
mbst concerned,” .
He. spoke of Jaw enforcing: agencies
in * South' Carolina, t saying,’• “Divided
authority, and responsibility,- with con¬
sequent ■ conflicts, of’ effort'- andsome-
times, harm! ul-jealousy, ’ have been,
curses against Orderly enforcement 1 As
inevitable result of the unhealthy con¬
ditions has-been,the injection' of poli¬
tics' into’ * field* of i humanitarian; en¬
deavor ■ which must .be entirely *.inde¬
pendent - ,ofsuch* things' if. we, expect
to :progrcss> in oun efforts,,,
W i Of; Deep I Concern, ...
“It; has-been a source- of .deep con¬
cern . to; wie." that : my f efforts for. a, co¬
ordination* of ■ law; enforcement: agen¬
cies, into a',well Organized state; police
System, i trained according; to - modem
requirements; and, equipped f with '.the
latest- facilities, t have; been; repeatedly
pigeon-holed ‘byithe ilegislature/.he
- “Since 1 , my-.inaugural ia,• state ,• police
1 system has been one .of my major.am-
bitions ;for : South' parOlinVyhey gov-
exhor» mW.iremarkingi.thaf, the* urged
sulh a system.&vhis campaign.for of-
• flc4 “£Cen political enemies Hive pub-
, 1 icli < commended l the, efforts,’! he.de-
CUrll^ adding,/'why they. have\yorked
, against it rem»ins\to me a : great , mys-
itO ’.! 1 Jh.i-m
4 Mr.,- Purvis; now an'attorney
* mnl^cau^?. for
^police l idea, 1
^t^ls^ra^crn^sute
§f§§§i|f
what.some cymm ,or. politicians pus (
say- ,, v,— - said, would j not, be
, -.fee-*cosh he/saia,_ woum__..
Algnway K- . ; ctiixunal»,v •
uJSrtS, a »«»!
AS a^It« «e tikingstepsto clean up.
and states: are taiung* ^ .^i n a lsiare
‘AS‘S.
1 t. ta#i wh^ rc^’ thft ; 1
<-T seems-, to- be that -reeent ievents
eV,tfH C Carolina -hke the murder of
dMds should be proof enough to Sou*
. fflinimfthatV criminals, are mot
.afraid of’us* -
V'rtw reason
shoWles for the proposed force and «
suffered jfor sojeng.m. ca xo lina;
"Xf-
; 1 ^
\U.
ytfa, fc \;>
Mr. C)-<rg ttaiaaVasaM 1
^ ,r. Ooffey
1 *r, Cr«wl
‘Mr. E;n..
' ‘Ci yosweyth
»*r, Grnvin__
! —r> t':: f i.o
atv. ff-ttel
*r« Ictiv *
y.lv. Kelnttre.
,‘lr. N'..:,' ■ ,
i.Iv. pfK-hO’S,.........
ftr. I'euaiegtoa.....
Mr. Oehffder
-Mr. Titan K.J..
\ y.v. -Tracy..
I .»»sti .0 •**« a*
XEROX
m 18 1934
NOV iO t5S7 ,>4
r
rmyra so'
tv-~Vi\ i, f.ii* >v >a*->j?TF5vTI Mr. iwrn:-.
■Mr. ;r> f
Mr. N»t\—j „ t _
Mr. Tc.;.*, _V
Mr.
Mr.
Sir. t lt(i
Mr/6-’owi , „,.
*»n K:?«->
Mr^F<.xw^rt!i,,
Mr. G-nvin .;...,
I Mr. M*rtx,
Mr. z:«e*j,
Mr. XrfHr.r
rPSnOtj^V*1 Mr. tf*virkt*n....
;;s^
-Sm
Mr. 3**0*;-
Mr. Scba
Mri "feioru
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$0T KBOOBDFP
I
_EPRMER G-MAN STEPS OU T
it
m
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•> • -iV, m3.
I'i
OSAUS VAN DER STRICKEN MELVIN 1 PURVIS ^
arvis, > former top Ilffht G-man, is in New York for the first time |
into plans for; his marriage were canceled on the Coast. He and • [
Ilss van dor Stricken of 41 $‘Park Avenue are pictured in a nffM club. I
CUPPING PROM
NEIV YORK POST
JAN 18 1984'
DATE: M DV I 9 ior;
FORWARDED BI NEST YORK DIVISION
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
CT:MAM
tBuram of Jnueatlsatimt
limtefc States department of ifnatice
Hlaaljutrjttm, 53. C.
• January 26, 1938
• MEMORANDUM FOR .THE DIRECTOR
On January 24th, Mr. Hanson telephoned from Los Angeles, stating u
Charlesjfstrube (?) of the Santa Anita Race Track, had communicated with ««.,
advising of difficulties which are being experienced with certain officers and racing
inspectors. Dr. Strube told Mr. Hanson,that the Track was considering the appoint¬
ment of a.'man to supervise police affairs, and that this person would assume the
position with regard to racing which Judge Landis has in the baseball world.
Dr. Strube inquired of Mr. Hanson whether Melvixfturvis would be a good man
for this position. Mr. Hanson was engaged at the time, and merely told Mr. Stru e
that Purvis* appointment, in his opinion, would not be advantageous to the racing
group. I told Hanson to call Dr. Strube again, and to definitely advise him
that this Bureau could not recommend Purvis for this position, and that it was
felt it would be a mistake to appoint him. .1 told Hanson to advise Dr. Strube
that it would be necessary for this Bureau, to refrain from cooperating with the
Santa Anita Track in the event of Purvis* appointment to this type of position,
inasmuch as he is persona non grata with the Bureau.
I talked with Hanson on Tuesday In connection with another matter. He
stated he had talked with Dr. Strube, and had advised him concerning Purvis
along the lines of my suggestions. He advised, that Dr. Strube had asked him
to drop in to see him, and he is planning to do this on Wednesday afternoon.
Respectfully,
Clyde Tolson
\/ l 1
'19' S/3
Jan 29^8
>
J&
XEROX
✓
^fcHinPury^ ’FatherlTfgr^ -
’-TIMMONS VILLE,» S. C.,Jan. U6
-Melvin til. -Purvis--sr, '■whose
son/, former.? agent; for:, theBureau
,ot j Investigation- of-, the: Department
pf Justice.; was credited with round-
tog > up CJohn >DilUnger 5 and imanv
i Jth*r-i notorious ; criminals, t died * d)
Jpneumonia'-f here i today.:-He s was i
termer.sand.. retired ,buslness«raa?».
$e; was - sixty-eight years. old.. 1
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr,
Mr.
Mr,
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
N*th®a *««•!
Tcisoa 1
......
Ct*sx
Coffey
Crow!
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Fox-worth. ......
GIftvto
Harbo
tumcutvw
Hottol .......,...
. heiter......»
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ton
Eosea ......
SctiUer....
lO MOS < .....a.-
Mr. Tracy,
Mi« G.
MU' WJ-j
<l ft ,h
^7 "
_ ZERO.
JAN 18 1984
Clipping from
SEW YORK HERALD-TRIBUNE
DAT E mi 1 7 IQ^Jl
FORWARDED BY NEW YORK DIVISION
. -
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I4r. JJtt'cy'hrins
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FATHER OF FORMER >
G-MAN PURVIS DIE!
TflMMONSVILLE, £dj‘jan. 1* <AP>-
Melvin H. t Purvis, Sr, .father ot ■ the
former Federal Bureau of Investigation 1
dspat, Melvin Purvis? of San'Francisco,
> who is Tfedlterwitirhavln g rounded u p
Join Dllllnxer and many other notorious
. criminals,’ died toddy, , ’ ' ,
-Purvis,-a,farmer and retired business
man, had Seen m c t pneumonia at his
home here'. He was ex.
^moi
IQ jgg 4
* ' ’ * t ,
(
&rt£Kl&S§ it..
mimm
liH.horoe A w?- '... - _
Mr. N*».H»itt ..........
Mr. T«1 i6»..„..
Mr. 8rt»g&mn......
Mr. ..
Mr,
Mr. CroTrl
Mr, „„,......
Mr. f«mth ....«.
Mr. C!» »N ..........
Mr. Hpriw ** ma *
Kr. Hat** .........
Mr. Looto;'
Mr.
M4i 4 »nVi£fcoa.,««
J.4l k « J.V k *' -Ui ipt*t tmmmm
M*.
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[TeOE^AL aiSSMUOf iStVESMSAliOa
m 1 7 1938
u. $. DEPARTMENT Of JUSTICE
Chicago. liitNOt*
piue
C
lx
*•>
REYjPS
807 U. 8. Court House
Pole/ Square
lev Xork, N. X.
Hovecber 24, 1957.
Hr. J. Edgar Hoover,
Federal Bureau of laves Ugation,
Feshington, D» C.
He I
Dear Mr. Hoover: //
ASSOCIATION OF EX-BUP.EAU AGENTS
XORK CITT
<o • if
'J Aas\s\S *'—
Recently, the former Special Agents of the Bureau, who
have foraed an association in lea Xork, about which you have al¬
ready been furnished information, had their annual dinner.
Special Agent If. J. McNulty has been able to secure in¬
formation regarding same which, while rather meagre, may possibly
be of some interest to you. I am attaching hereto two copies of
his memorandum to me.
Xou will be kept posted promptly on the activities of this
organisation and anything in connection therewith which may arise
in this dlatrlct.
Respectfully,
R. E. V1TTERLI
Special Agent in Charge
enc: 2
£?- 017-/5
m FEDERAL BUREAU W TNVESTIGAT _
'UNITED-.STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
hmjiml
New York, N. Y.
November S3, .1937.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SAC R. "FI. .VETTSRLI Personal and-S5B II duit Tul¬
in reference td our conversation this morning,
regarding the organisation* the .members of .which consist of
only former -Special .Agents .of the FBI, the -writer wishes to
advise that while in conversation with'former ‘Special Agent
John Mowry on 11/19/3.7 the latter advised that the instant
organisation had held Its annual dinner on the previous evening,
November 18, 1937 at the New York Athletic Club, this city,
and all in attendance - some '45 -former .Agents - had more or
less expressed themselves as being confident as to the success
of t he new organization, basing this opinion on the large
attendance at the dinner, the interest the timbers are taking
in the affairs of the organization, the number of telegrams
received during the .dinner from raembere wishing the organization
success, and the -further fact,.that several agents in«ttendance
had traveled some distance to be there; namely, Conway .from
Chicago,, Cox -from Dallas, Texas, and he, Mowry, from Davenport,
Iowa.
Mowry stated that the membership consists of
some 150 Former agents and they expect the membership to
number 300 in the near future. '
i In connection with the -instant conversation-with
Mowry-, .it "was gathered that when the membership of Melvin .Purvis
was solicited sometime hack, Purvis declined to loin the organi¬
zation,'claiming it was his intention at the time -to start a
similar organization'.with other former agents .on the coast.
■Mowry made no reference as to who the speakers
were at the dinner, nor as to any one .making any detrimental
remarks about the Bureau or any one connected with same.
Mowry in the course of his .conversation expressed
himself as being very friendly towards the Bureau, and advised
that sometime back he had been called on as a reference for an
applicant, and he declined to recommend this Individual, as he
•- 2 -
did .not think he was a proper person to become connected with the
Bureau in any capacity.
Respectfully submitted,
*W. J. iCKULTT,
Special Agent.
December .18, 1937
*
C?:ACS
Mr* N. J. I. .Pieper,
.-Federal Bureau of Investigation^
U. IS. Department of Justice,
One Eleven Sutter, Room 1729.,
Ban Francisco,, California.
Dear Mr. Pi'eper
The Bureau recently received -information .in connec¬
tion with-the Association of Former 3ureau Agents, which has
been formed in Mew York City., to the effect that former Special
Agent in Charge 'H. 'Purvis, declined to Join this organization
stating at that time that It was his intention to formulate a
similar organization of former Special Agents on the West Coast.
The Bureau is passing tills Information on to you In
order that you may be on the alert in connection with the possi¬
bility of the formation of such an organization.
Sincerely yours,
J. Edgar Hoove t
«
personal
df
&?. oa 7-/2
i
fuu. rati
OAYjuTTwj DCfCKRCO
NIGHT "niGH? — '
message urre*
NIGHT {.hip “
ICTTtA KACHOft.AM i
PatiS>ns ■bouM check elau of •orHc*
deeded; otherwise message wflj tx
\ j transmitted as a f alJ-rate
1 i eommonf cation. f
WES TE RN
UNION
ACCT'G INFMN.
TIME FILED
*. D. WHITE
miiioint
NfWCOMI CARLTON
CHAIRMAN OF TM« BOARD
J. C, WILLCVCR
FIRST VICC-FRCSIOENT
Sen4 the following message, .abject to the term, on lock hereof, which are heieby agreed to
V
NEW YORK JAN. ,25, 1 938
DR. CHARLES H. STRUB
SANTA ANITA RACE TRACK
LOS ANGELES CAL
rfiNRi'nrfm MELVIN^PURVIS FORMER G MAN BEI NG STRONGLY
CONSIDERED AS GENERAL CZAR FOR ALL RACE TRACKS. ALTHOUGH THIS SEEMS
IMPOSSIBLE WONDER WHAT IF ANY BASIS IN,FACT THERE IS TO RUMOR.
JOHN HERTZ JOINS ME IN REGARDS
STEVE HANNAGAN
1
recorded!
Chg signature
21+7 Park Ave.
Day Letter
FEB 6 -1838
sA
•i b
, __ mox ,
' 1 ( 1 ^ JAN J.8 1984
THE QUICKEST, SUREST AND SAFEST WAY TO SEND MONEY IS BY TEUEGRAJPH OR _
&
M,
ALL MESSAGES TAKEN B^THIS COMPANY ARE SUBJECT TdVHE FOLLOWING TERMS
To (turd against mistake* or delay*, the sender of a message should order St repeated, that ie; telegraphed back to the originating offioe for comparison. For this,
one-half the unrepeated message rate i* charged in addition. Unless otherwise indicated on it* face, this is an unrepeated message and paid for ae such, in consider .tion
whereof it is agreed between the sender of the message and this company as follows:
1. The company shall not be liable for mistakes or delays in the transmission er delivery, or fOr non-delivery, of any message received for transmission at the junre-
peated-message rate beyond the sum of five hundred dollars; nor for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery, or for non-delivery, of any message received for
transmission at the repeated-message rate beyond the sum of five thousand dOUari, unless specially valvet; nor In any case for delays arising from unavoidable interrup¬
tion In the working of its lines; nor for errors in cipher or obscure messages.
2. In any event the company shall not be liable for damages for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery, or for the non-delivery, of any message, whether
caused by the negligence of Its servants or otherwise, beyond the sum of five thousand dollars, at which amount each message is deemed to be valued, unless a greater
value is stated In writing by the sender thereof at the time the message is tendered for transmission, and unless the repeated-message rate is paid or agreed to be paid,
and an additional charge equal to one-tenth of one percent of the amount by which such valuation shall exceed five thousand dollars,
3. The company is hereby made the agent of the sender, without liability, to forward this message over the lines of any other company when necessary to; each
its destination.
4. Domestic messages and Incoming cable messages will be delivered free within one-half mile of the company's office In towns of 5.000 population or less,
and within one mile of such office in other cities or towns. Beyond these limits the company does not undertake to make delivery, but will, without liability, at the sen¬
der’* request, as hi* agent and at his expense, endeavor to contract for him for such delivery at a reasonable price.
5. No responsibility attaches to this company concerning messages until the same are accepted at one of its transmitting offices; and if a message is sent to such
office by one of the company's messengers, he acts for that purpose as the agept of the sender,
6. The company will not be liable for damages or statutory penalties in any case where the claim is not presented in writing within sixty days after the mei sage
Is filed with the company for transmission.
7. It is agreed that In any action by the company to recover the tolls for any message or messages the prompt and correct transmission and delivery thereof shai: be
presumed, subject to rebuttal by competent evidence, . . . , ... .... ,
S. Special terms governing the transmission of messages according to their classes, as enumerated below, shall apply to messages in each of such respective, classes
In addition to all the foregoing terms, . _ _ .
9. No employee of the company Is authorized to vary the foregoing. THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPAYY
INCOHPOKATED
R. B. WHITE, PntaiOCNT
CLASSES OF SERVICE
TELEGRAMS
A full-rate expedited service.
NIGHT MESSAGES
Accepted up tq. 2.-00 a.m. at reduced rates to be sent during the night and deliv¬
ered not earlier than the morning of the ensuing business day.
Night Messages may at the option of the Telegraph Company be mailed at des¬
tination to the addressees, and the Company shall be deemed to have discharged
its obligation in such cases with respect to delivery by mailing such night messages
at destination, postage prepaid.
DAY LETTERS
A deferred day'service at rates lower than the standard telegram rate* a* fol¬
lows: One and oup-half time* the *tandard night letter rate for the transmission
of 50 words or less and one-fifth of the Initial rate* for each additional JO word*
or less.
sraciAt tsrms Aranits to pat irrrwts:
In further consideration of the reduced rate for this special Day Letter service,
the following special, terms in addition to those enumerated above are hereby
agreed to:
a. Day Letter* may be forwarded by the Telegraph Company a* a deferred
service and the transmission and delivery of such Day Letters Is, in all respects,
subordinate to the priority of transmission and delivery of .regular telegrams.
». Tbit Day Letter is received subject to the express understanding and agree¬
ment that the Company does not undertake that a Day Letter shall be delivered
on the day pf its date absolutely, and at all events; bat that the Company's obliga¬
tion in this respect 1* subject to the condition that there shah remain sufficient
time for the transmission and delivery of such Day Letter on the day Of its date
during regular office hours, subject to the priority of the transmission of regular
telegrams under the conditions named above.
NIGHT LETTERS
Accepted up to 2.00 am. for delivery on the morning of the ensuing bus! css
day, at rates still lower than standard night message rates, as follows: The stand¬
ard telegram rate for 10 words shall be charged for the transmission of 50 words
or less, and one-fifth of such standard telegram rate for 10 words shall be charged
for each additional 10 words or less, |
STBOtAi, t*UM$ Am-VINO TO MOST LSTriRS: I
In farther consideration of the reduced rales for this special Night Letter serv¬
ice, the following special terms in addition to those enumerated above axe hereby
agreed to:
Night Letters may at the option of the Telegraph Company be mailed at desti¬
nation to the addressees, and the Company shall be deemed to have discharged
Its obligation in such cases with respect to delivery by mailing aueh Night Letters
at destination, postage prepaid.
FULL RATE-CABLES
An expedited service throughout. Code language permitted.
DEFERRED HALF-RATE CABLES
Half-rate messages are subject to being deferred in favor of full rate messages i or
not exceeding 24 tours. Must be written in plain language.
CABLE NIGHT LETTERS
An overnight service for plain language communications, at one-third the fill
rate, or less. Minimum Of 25 words charged for. Subject to delivery at the conven¬
ience of the Company within 24 hours. ,
SHIP RADIOGRAMS
A service to and from ships at sea. In all parts of the world. Plain language or co< e
language may be used.
Send the f Owing message, subject to the terms an back hereof, uhlch are hereby agreed to
SJAD73 11-ARCADIA CALIF 27 5l*4P
STEVE HANNAGAN
2l|7 PARK AVE
1938 JAN 27 PM 9 57
JO TRUTH IN RUMOR OF MELVIN PURVIS POSITION IN CALIFORNIA RACING
CHAS H STRUB
( . „a>
' 4^t.naS. '•
THE QUICKEST, SUREST AND SAFEST WAY TO SEND MONEY IS BY TELEGRAPH OR CABLE. .
ALL MESSAGES TAKEN B^THIS COMPANY ARE SUBJECT T^THE FOLLOWING TERMS:
To fUftrd mistakes or delays, the sender of a raessate should order it repeated, that is, telegraphed bach to the originating office for comparison! For this,
one-lwdf the unxepeated message rate is chanted in addition. Unless otherwise indicated on its face, this is an unrepeated message and paid for as such* in consideration
whereof it is agreed between the sender of the message and tM# company as follows: , . . ^
S. The company shall not be liable for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery, or for nondelivery, of any message received for transmission jat the ume-
peated-message rate beyond the sum of five hundred dollars; nor for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery, or for non-delivery, of any message > received for
transmission at the repeated-message rate beyond the sum of five thousand dollars, unless specially valued? no t in any case for delays arising from unavoidable interrap-
tioa to the workingofits lines.nor'for error. In cipher or Gb^e message*... ._„ ,„___
2. In any event the company shall tot be liable for damages for mistakes or delays In the transmission or delivery, or for the nondelivery, of any message, whether
caused by the negligence of its servants or otherwise, beyoad the sum of five thousand dollars, at which amount each message is deemed to be valued, unless a greater
value is stated in writing by the sender thereof at the timeShe message is tendered for transmission, and unless the repeated-message rate is paid or agreed to be paid,
And ain additional charge equal to one-tenth of one percent of the amount by which such valuation shall exceed five thousand dollars, t .
3. The company is hereby made the agent of the sender, without liability, to forward this message over the hues of any other company when neces* xy to reach
4. Domestic messages and Incoming cable messages will be delivered free within one-half mile of the company’s office In' town, of 5,000 populat on or, less,
and within one mile of such office In other cities or towns. Beyond these limits the company does not undertake «c* make delivery, but will, without liability,'at the sen¬
der’* request, as his agent and at his expense, entteavor to contract for him for such delivery at a reasonable price. , .. _ ___V
5. No responsibility attaches to this company concerning messages until the same are accepted at one of its transmitting offices; and If a message Ml dut to such
office by one of the company’s messengers, hearts for that purpose as the agent of the sender. _, .
6. The company will not be liable for damages, or statutory penalties to any case where the claim is not presented to writing within sixty days after he message
s ffled m’th^the recover the tolls for any message or messages the prompt and, correct transmission and delivery then of shall be
presumed, subject to'rebuttal by competent evidence. ... ........ , . . . , ,
*. Special terms governing the transmission of messages according to their classes, as enumerated below, shall apply to messages in each of such respec Ive classes
In addition to all the foregoing terms,
9. No employee of the company is authorized to vary the foregoing.
THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
INCORPORATED j
R. 8. WHITE. PRCSIOCNT
CLASSES OF SERVICE
TELEGRAMS
A full-rate expedited service.
NIGHT MESSAGES
Accepted up to 2:00 a.m. at reduced rates to be sent during the night and deliv¬
ered not earlier than the morning of the ensuing business day.
Night Messages may at the option of the Telegraph Company be mailed at des.
tination to the addressees, and the Company shall be deemed to have discharged
its obligation in such cases with respect to delivery by mailing such night messages
at destination, postage prepaid.
DAY LETTERS
A deferred day service at rates lower than the standard telegram riles as fol- u ,
lows; One and one-half times the standard night letter rate for the transmission
of 50 words or less and one-fifth of the. Initial rates for each additional 10 words
or less.
smart, term* applying to pay letters:
;•! further consideration of the reduced rate for this special Day letter service,
the following special terms to addition to those enumerated above are. hereby
agreed to;
A, Day letters may be.’forwarded by the Telegraph Company as a deferred
service and the transmission and delivery of such Day Tetters is, in all respects,
subordinate to the priority of transmission and delivery of regular telegrams.
». This Day Letter is received subject to the express understanding and agree¬
ment that the Company does not undertake that a Day Letter shall be delivered
on the day erf its date absolutely, and at all events; but that the Company’s obliga¬
tion in this respect is subject to the condition that there shall remain sufficient,
time for the transmission and delivery of such Day letter On the day Of its date
during regular office hours, subject to the priority of the transmission of regular
telegrams under the conditions named above.
i NIGHT, LETTERS
Accepted up to 2;00 a.m. for delivery on the morning of the ensuing business
day, at rates still lower than Standard night message rates, as follows: The stand¬
ard telegram rate for 10 words shall be charged for the transmission of 50 words
or less, and one-fifth of such standard telegram rate for 10 words shall be charged
for each additional 10 words or less,
SPECIAL TEEMS APPLYING TO NIGHT LETTERS:' j
In further consideration of the reduced rates for this special Night letter senr--
ice, the following special terms in addition to those enumerated above ire hereby
^Night letters may at the option erf the Telegraph Company be maiie i at desti¬
nation to the addressees, and the Company shall be deemed to have discharged
its obligation in such cases with respect to delivery by mailing such Night Letters
at destination, postage prepaid,
~ FULL RATE CABLES
An expedited service throughout. Code language permitted.
iter serv-r
re hereby
DEFERRED HALF-RATE CABLES
Half-Tale messages are subject to being deferred la favor of full rate me ssages for
not exceeding 24 hours. Must be written in plain language.
CABLE NIGHT LETTERS
An overnight service for plain language communications, at one-third the. full
rate, orless. Minimum of 25 words charged for. Subject, to delivery at th< conven¬
ience of the Company within 24 hours,-
SHIP RADIOGRAMS
A service to and from ships at sea. in ail parts of the world. Plain languai e or code
language may be Used.
Personnel Files wants to know if this should
be placed in Purvis' file.
ACS
OFFICE 1 OF DIRECTOR, FED:
BUREAU’OF INVESTIGATION
TO
OFFICIAL -INDICATED BELOW BV CHECK MARK
Mr. Nathan___ ( )
Mr. Tolson_.__(
Mr. Clegg______ ( )
Mr. '.Baughman____ ( )
Mr. Coffey ...___( )
/
Mr. Crowl _
Mr. Egan.__
Mr. Foxworth
Mr. Glavin ...
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Hince
Mr. Hottel_...
Mr. Lester___
Mr. Mclntire _
Mr. Naughten__
Mr. Nichols'_
Mr. Pennington __
Mr. Rosen _ ..
( )
. ( )
„ ( )
, ( )
.. ( )
, ( )
- ( )
„ ( .)
- ( ■)
.. ( )
„ ( )'
„ ( )
. ( )
.. ( )
.. ( )
Mr. Schilder. ___
Mr. Tamm _
Mr. Tracy,___..... ( )
Secretary _____ ( )
See Me __ _ __
Prepare Reply ..._
For Your Inforoation
Note and Return —
File ___
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
Remarks
1.
CO?f
juUHsMWC
January 19, 1938.
Honorable Oscar G .dander.
Commissioner,
Michigan State ;Police,
East LansingiMichigan.
i
My dear Commissioner:
t *»* receipt of your better dated Jamary i2,*a938,
•: a:;...sitting a copy of a memorandum.addressed to you by Trooper
pMitchell of,your fores and a photographic copy of a
Certificate of Appointment signed by Mr.MelvixAhirvls.
. The report of ^Trooper Mitcheii is .astounding and :I am
in complete accord with the reported position of Circuit Judge
•Herman. Dehnke and:certainly Mr. Purvis' activities do not have
this Biireaii' s sponsorhhip nor did this Bureau have knowledge
oi ' h3 f activities in connection with the .LaW .am Order Patrol
and the issuance of badges. Unfortunately, pinee Mr.Purvis
has not been twith the Federal ’Bureau of investigation .for nearly
.two y eras, we have no control over any of the activities he
might engage in, am consequently, we are not ‘responsible for
them.
^ personally think that the commercialised project
of the issuance of badges is not an altogether desirable
practice and that the issuance of such credentials to the
individual referred .bo in Trooper Mitchell's memorandum was
indeed most unfortunate. Since this is a commercial project
Sponsored by the Kellogg Company, Battle 0 ree k, Michigan, and
•since.Mr,Purvis is no monger associated with thi S ;Bureu a , 1 do
.not 'see how this Bureau couid do^anything to prevent' a
re-occurrence of the incident.
* '
I want you to know I deeply appreciate your thoughtful¬
ness' in furnishing this information to me.
1 i
; With best wishes and ,kind regards, <
i
, Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover,
Birector.
. XEROX
MN 18 1984
i
Oscar GiOlander,
Commissioner*
SIA'IE OF MICHIGAN
Michigan axaia poiica
EAST juANSING
January ,iz f 1958
Hon.J.Edgar Hoover, Director,
G.O.Department of Justice,Bureau of Inv.,
Washington,D*C.
My dear Director.;
I am attaching hereto, a photograph of
>a Certificate of Appointment, which is signed by Kelvin
^Purvis.
At the top of the certificate Is a photo¬
graph of the badge which is presented with this cert¬
ificate.
,1 am also eincxosing a co y of a report
made by Tpr. lierwyn Mitcheij. covering this, mat ter.
A copy of this information has been smnt
to hon.Raymond W. 15 t&rr. Attorney General of Michigan,
asking For his suggestions in this matter.
1 thought you wouxd he interested in
receiving this Information.
fours very truly.
74 ”f
Z~j •* s '
OGOiDC
Sncl.) I
t~ fc J O ■"* ft i•
i ,‘s/ Uscar G.Oiander f y ,. y\
Commissioner. / /v >
v’ <?' ?> , f(
1 ,i
11
7 , Jffifioi
,^,i8 BS?^
bast Tawas,Michigan
January .6, i93d.
Subjects Melvin Purvis - .uaw and u rder Patrol. A bale's promo tionby
the Kellogg Company of Battle Creek.
Tot -SoMUssioner/Oscar G.01ander.,£ast mansing, “ichigan*
Enclosed please find badge and certificate of appointment
to the rank of Captain of the Law and Order Patrol Issued by the Kellogg
Company to Carl £.Neumann and signed Melvin Purvie as Chief Secret
Operator.
On December 20, Xy37, the above mentioned Carl b.Neumann
was arrested by this officer for carrying concealed weapons, and insisted
that he was an agent of’ the Department of Justice. Neumann then produced
the enclosed paper together with the badge as proof .of his appointment.
It should here be stated that Neumann is thirty-six yeras of age, but
possesses the mind of a boy of about -14 years.
On January 4, ^930, when Can £.Neumann was arraigned
before Circuit Judge Herman Lehnke at i’awas City, he plead guilty to the
charge and the case was then adjourned to the “arch term of court. &t this
time Judge Dehnke ; re<^uested that officer write you and enclose the papers
which the Kellogg Company .had issued to Carl m.Neumann, also that you ;
be requested to see what action might be taken to stop the continuance of >
this type of sales promotion.
Judging from the Circuit Judge's remarks from the bench
while talking to Neumann it appers that he believes that certain types »
of young minds might be mead .through the belief that -they , have been
appointed to «a police agency, into committing serious crimes. The Judge
pointed out that, they might oe-ieve they, were trailing a .bandit and then
get a gun and shoot some innocent person.
Respectfully submitted,
Merwyn H.Mitchell
iTrooper #136.
Approved
Sergeant Hiram Orlmason
Commanding Bast Tawas Detachment
_3DCR07
m is
ifrlleral SSurcmt of Itiucatigation
llnlfeh states Department of fhiattce
Los Angeles, California
February 2nd, 1938
r
Mr, Ntf^n.
Vr,
'Mt, ttr-.rt't'W.
Mr- C"f'?
Mr. Co^y
.Sir, Orrrl
Mr. ®r*n - - »* *
4
t
.Mr- J. 2. Hoover, Director,
Federal bureau of Investigation,
D. S. Department of Justice, >
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hoover:**
PERSONAL AND
\Ur. ,%»*.!
Glavfo***- .UKM
•*'r, Utrh« -..
'J-.l-f: tte'
’Sr !>.< *r >>-
.Ur,
"Hr,
lit, pj*v.«krt£> 3 .....
Sir, r.-.’-a .
“Mr, < 5<-k‘W*r ■**«**••■***-
ar. .Tesia ...
Sir, Tn«y ,,^ jk
,o*» > *
This is to confirm telephonic conversations betvJaen,—
Mr. Tolson and the writer on January 24, 1938, and February^? 1938,
concerning an inquiry that I had received from Dr. CkarlesJ(5trub,
Vice President and CteneraJ^Manager of ; the Los Angeles Turf Club,
Inc., operators of th^Jsanta Anita'Racetrack.
Dr. Strub, as I explained to Mr. Tolson, telephoned me
on January 24, 1938, stating that because of some difficulties that
had been experienced at the track, due to the resignation of certain
State officials and more especially because of an alleged expose in¬
dicating that bookmakers had propositioned the Chief of Police at
Arcadia, California, in which jurisdiction the racetrack i3 located,
and also an officer of the Los Angeles Police Department detailed at
the track, resulting in the suspension of these two officer^, tho
racetrack operators were considering the appointment of .an ^Individual
who would be to the track what LandiS !is to baseball. Dr. Strub
related that the track officials wanted a man with* possibly >a national
name and a reputation for honesty. He then stated that he would
like to have an answer from mej^ither ^*yes or^no*, with respect to
the track considering Melvin HrdPurvis Jfor this position. I in¬
formed Dr. Strub that I would say "no" 'to that individual, whereupon
Dr. Strub inquired as to whether there was anything personal in my
comment in this .respect. In view of tho fact that .1 had a visitor
in my office at this time I told Dr. Strub I would t lik© to think
about this matter for a few minutes and then call him back, explain¬
ing tha,t I could make .no particular statement at the time.
Thereafter, I Immediately contacted Mr. Tolson, explain¬
ing the situation to him, and in accordance with telephonic instructions
from Mr. Tolson I subsequently contacted Dr. Strub telep honically, _
|
FEB IS 103J
7
d '
{ s.*\ i -: i
, Uvi
,:,.££>vj
j
*r l 1
kr'f-P'LE PC.MJ 1 liWw’jiiu- -
-fes-Mb ^
Mr. Hoover
2-2-38
Page 2*
informing him that I believed the track officials would be Baking
a Bistake if- they considered Purvis; further, that I could*not re¬
commend-'him, explaining also that it wa3 .the general consensus of
opinion in the Federal Bureau of Investigation that Purvis was
a person who could not be recommended; that for*the good of the
track no consideration should be given to him, and stated that in
view of'Purvis’^apparent glory in publicity and the fact that he
apparently seizes every opportunity, to profit personally in com¬
mercial ventures with'his past experiences, I did not believe that
it would be'wise for the track to consider,him.<
I also informed Dr. St rub that from an official
viewpoint. I knew,ft hat if Purvis i^ere given an appointment by the.
track thatHt .would be'necessary. for this ^Bureau to refrain from
cooperating»with the trackion at^least certain types of mattersa
Dr. Strub expressed’'to,me.his appreciation.for.'my having furnished
him'with this information, .stating that it .would ,'go to no one else.
. During < By *. sub sequent conversation with Dr. Strub I
inquired if he had it in mind that this -particular position would be
a national one,, such.as .the position held'byiLandis in connection
with baseball. Dr. Strub stated that undoubtedly the position
would.grow, to one of that\klnd, stating that ; at the immediate time
there is developing a'lack*, of'confidence by It he public in horse
racing; that with numerous tracks opening and with bookmakers
operating and scandals, appearing here .and there in the .racing world,
more than likely such a position would have to be established. He
said that racing at this time needed "something to restore the
confidence of the.public" and that he felt it would be valuable
to the Santa Anita Racetrack if it could fill such a position,
putting in it a Ban who has a name and reputation for honesty.
On January-20, .1938, after I had filled a speaking
•engagement in Alhambra, California, I stopped at the Santa^Aaita
Racetrack for the purpose of thanking personally the officials there
who had been,cooperative.with this Bureau in connection with the
Ronap case. I saw Messrs. Mort Sfcaw, manager of Pari-Mutuels,
and-Lou Walger, in charge of the Money Counting .Department, thanking
them personally but because the races were in operation it was not
possible for Be at that time to see Dr. Strub.'^- I mentioned this
fact to Dr., Strub in, my conversation with him-and he requested that
at my convenience I visit with hin.
Mr. Hoover.
2-2-38
Page'3,
Subsequent to the-above conversation with Dr. Strub,
I called on him personally,, at which time » reiterated jay previous
statements to him concerning Purvis and -he indicated that no con¬
sideration; would be,given to -the latter#
Dr. Strub then inquired of me as to whether it would
be possible for three or'four Special Agents of the ? ed ® r fJ- 7^f eau of
Investigation to be detailed at the track. He indicated, that he was
not satisfied that the Pinkerton Detective Agency, which now polices
the track, is able to cope with the more shrewd criminals who might be
habitues there and he felt that if Agents could be at the track they
would be more, successful, stating that he believed that such Agents
would not only render a service to the track but also could render a
service to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the same 1
informed Dr. Strub that while I was hot in a position at that time
to speak for you it was my personal belief that such a
not be carried out because of the limited investigative P®rso^ael in
our organization and because numerous other similar demands^ 1 woiuld,
.of course, be made on or Bureau should it be known + that
was extended to the Santa Anita Racetrack. Dr. Strub stated that he
could appreciate that fact and he said that he would further appreciate
it if I would bring this suggestion to your attention, which I did
in a telephone conversation on February 2 , ; 1938 , with Mr. Tolscn.
I should also.state that when I first called on Dr. Strub ohthe
latter occasion he displayed to me a Western Union telegram dated
January 25, 1938, at New York City, received by him, same reading as
follows:
"PERSISTENT HUMOR HERB THAT MELVIN PURVIS JomSR GMm
BEING STRONGLY CONSIDERED AS GENERAL CZAR ?0R ALL RACi TRACKS
STOP ALTHOUGH THIS SSHMS IMPOSSIBLE WONDER WHAT IF ANY
BASIS IN FAITH THERE IS TO RUMOR STOP JOHN HERTZ JOINS
ME IN REGARDS ^
Dr. Strub said he could’ not understand how Hannagan,
whom he described as a publicity man, could have!beard
ideas with respect to Purvis unless someone in the Federal Bureau f
Investigation had revealed this information or unless someone had
.Mr. Hoover'
2-2-38
Page 4.
tapped the telephone of either Dr. Strub or of the Los Angeles Office.
I, assured him that I had no idea how Mr. Hannagan might have learned
.of this, indicating, of course, that it might be,that someone had
tapped his telephone.
After my conversations with Mr. Tolson on. February 2,
1938, I informed Dr. Strub that I had! been in touch with you and that
it would not be possible to have this Bureau detail any representatives
at the track.
AIRMAIL
Very truly yours,
ISON
Special Agent in Charge*
SECTION, CLOSED
J
iflrfreral SSurcau of Imicstigatfon
fUtitcfc States Separtment of 3uat ter
Post Office Box 2160
Knoxville, nTennessee
April 26, 1938
PERSONAL AND
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
ton, D* C*
Dear Sir:
While at Raleigh, North Carolina, Mr* R* Mo EVER of Florence,
Sou^h Carolina, asked the writer and>Special Agent in C^rge EDWARD
SCHSIDT what we knew of the recent activities of MELVIN-F0KVTS and,
of course, was informed that we knew nothing. He stated that PURVIS,
he understands, recently returned to Florence, South Carolina and is
purportedly engaged to a Mrs*. ROSE TAILOR, who was the Former wife of
a football star from the University of Alabama* It is reported that
they will be married before long.
j
Very truly yours,
i
RBH:REL
/?. M*-**-^?
R. B. H00D,W
Special Agent'in Charge*
— , .By ED SULLIVAN
thelWcek's'WasK'. '* ■ . )t ' V • ; .
fTh»tr \ 25 .the^ pessimistic;advice:oU.Tralner■ Hobbi,','. .
^?^'t med hlghly li: EngllS^e
' toeb^i' "even mted‘jo:the f EngU$h f '$tu<t
twue^^. B^y G^mani s^g klng/is,wooing Eunice Healy
SSI^w^fsSs'
riSS?£5w to ^‘-•^Stork^to.rhU'.'adle^.^.Mlster^torlohas
.6 Anay Devinesside to nm^r-miTAni
^•sa^^i^ 3 5^fe*i^iTS^S^4a5Effii3SSSJ
• Bandy;Scott- “Tod i a V romniy Farr’s classic line to
«Hhe”ownerotth?<?r«^ vJ&* n , ot •“ England”,mournedFarr. "As
Jthe toff*V* t «Wow 4 S * t ? n * 1 W - nnW you «« ul 4 have mixed with
Ed an <* countess Dorothy
. eehtlng C hor$es t at h th^ C ’^-,^ emtCa <^ t5eate<i pa P«r,'-wlth. dots ^repre-
; lighted clearetf^in ?* 6 ^?^ 1 ‘X*: ^l e , : - race starts 'whem you[» touch
ItheltoUhfw' to:bum;afpathlto'
Troidero: Conn!;'Wetrtch-.wlnsviVAtrJhe
? FraSorzanandr^fwf ^^^? 11 ^ 1 Zanu ^' Mrs-PJock -pVhitrfey/
! SoaSif G s^fL^ Ianct ab ?°rbecl In a table cloth.tiddlddy.
>five Presto. be the No.' 1 ‘ tiddler) nipping.
f-Tonj; Martin.-JJuL 'TTnf^h '*■«^ > t?™ _1-*- ihe'Clover,
iloud. as*.
: struggles
Some '
, -1. ''
< ! ■ .' K ,.*. Sj'jP! 1 '^ 6 / * ••
- ** - •» •- Tir'T^^i-V-
i w Wr-*n"~t ti '*''*' >
map ii 1a -
»’ !i ‘InG,
3fte&rral8Utrrau of Imiestigatton
United States department of Bustier
Suite 1729 - 111 Sutter
San Francisco, California
May 16, 1938.
PERSONAL &
~ZL
Mr. T*Im,
N»th*n ......
r. Twb ,tr. , u ...
Mr. CS *z<
Mr.Coffey
Mr. D.—.ey MUauit
Mr. Etw>.
Mr/Eoxwortln
r. CUvio ..J/f.....
Mr. E.rbo
Mr. U»t»r
Mr.MrTr.tir*
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Special Agent J. H. RICE has rec¬
eived information that "NAVY BILL" INGHRAM,
forater football coach, has taken over ihe of¬
fice suite formerly occupied by MELVETTURVIS,
at San Francisco, and that INGHRAM'will act in
the capacity of a labor relations man for the
Safeway Stores. No definite information/has
been deceived as to what former Agents^wTHAN
andjSMITH are doing.
Further information has been furnished
that former Agent L0TJ%ICH0LS now has employment
with Braun and Company, 'business advisors located
at 601 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, California,
and that the Braun Company has taken over the Safe¬
way accounts since PURVIS has reported to have
left the West Coast. At this time It is not known
in what capacity NICHOLS will be employed by the
Braun Company.
Very truly yours,
JHR: 1ST
l
I
i
VY Si V
MAX ABOUT TOWN J
The Proletariat; Jackie Coo.
Per, the boy screen -actor, may
wM Kathaine Case (ex-Miss
Phlla.S at Flint,’Mich., this week
•-.if Mrs, Cooper doesn’t change
her mind . . , Intimates of the
Rex Tugwells hope the rumors
aren’t true,,. Ex-G-Man Melvin
Purvis will wed a gal named Tay¬
lor from his home burg, Tun-
won* vllie, dyaown in Sath Kltna.
., , McNaughton, the "Bottle”
o* the Phil Baker program, will
wed a golf .champion in the
Deal (X. j.) county eierk’s offieo
today , , , Sidney KingrdOi^Wl
get his 3rd act written because
Martha Stephenson, the de¬
beauty, has such eyes! , . , Life
will front cover Betty Gray and
Blanch -Brewer, Washington's
most beautiful Gov’t clerks, who
are five beautiful feet, 10 beauti¬
ful inehes tall , , . Thanks .to.
Mr, and Mrs, New York for
helping me return some of the
hospitality that Mr. and Mrs.
Washington extended to my un¬
married daughter of u . . ,
and thanks for helping mo make
my now famous retraction (that
thero/wer© no pretty girls there)
in s/ch conspicuous blonde and
brunette typo . .. . Frits Kuhn,
cNtf of',the N. Y. Ratzis, sfill
sue a columnist for calling them
Ratzis.
CJtikLL On Bl ond way
*rTi
J ill,., Biivglim.in
r, fti-rs .-.i- ■
m-, Cofty --- .
Mr, Crow!
Mr. IVuviey
Mr, Ejan ,
Mr, Foxw.-vtli
Mr, Glavla
Mr, Barlm
Mr, Rottel „
Mr, l-t-'tut
Mr Mrlntiro
Mr, TV
Mr, SVin'.irtTtoa ■,-
Mr, S.:ht!li«r
Sir,
Mr, Tr»ry --
mIm (...Mi'Xy ....
REV; PS
’ U. S, .Court 'House
'ey Square
”itoi* York, H. Y»
A;aril 27, 1928
• PERSONAL AND
Director, 1
federal Buraau of investigation,
Washington, D, C. .
Dear Sir:.
Por your information, X learned today that the Special Agent who
failed to testify properly in Federal Court in Philadelphia, whose najm
■ is not know to me, is now associated with former agents i . H. Tracy and
W. y, Seory. Also Seth Wyard, formerly in the Bureau In the Laboatory,
the correct spoiling of his name being unknown to me, Is also with the
.above' concern. , ,
Yesterday, a former Special Agent Accountant, by the name of
Simon, Correct ’Spelling of name 'unknown, emplyed at the Washington
Field office for a number of years, also visited the above firm with :a
view to securing ennlyment.
As a matter of possible interest to the Buroau, 1 .understand that
former eaplye ^Melvin Purvise s supposed to ho in Now York today. or with¬
in the next few days * Apparently, he had written to Wayne /^rrick, who
is employed by the Association of Casualty and Surety Executives, and
Merrick advised one or two other individuals.
Respectfully,
:r. :e. vettehli
Special Agent in Charge
<*•£
> i **i
^7-3 /y^v-6y
Aiite vn 9, iu Sutter, s
flMkFranaieeo, California , \
Ifey 3# 193*
FHfcGKAt iW^bqeME«tr
' , . s’
Dire*toy,
.Federal Bureau of XnWeetlgation*
WaahtUgtoa,P. C.
X. thsKigfctjpeu wolAi* interested to knatff that .
U«t week" : .i%ire oe» a wo f+in g ia fco* AaeeLee mambat* 1 of approxi¬
mately tweety«-t*e fo*»er members of the JV** the meeting* being held
la liM with, the 1bandiag tOmstber oT faWlor FBI agenta, about which
w hate corresponded. h miotofars.
Aha9 leftyfoek at S<^rl*sTiet>taur«»t ofte evening
here>inamFrettfiaea *bi|£ ; .fi*toeii* , 'we* # farmer agents.«f ths FBI*
got tegjsfher for a oi*€iipowott»$*' At** W0mt$: beads tho
group here is 3ea yrwntifooaaa from ropier reffirc<t''by me bo hae
l^eti^MtaA -ao, entaaeeid* Ornoi^H«oA^^tt^l«40 - tdfeyd tho Bureau,
r its-fi^l1piO~ ? Or iff,pemftaony. ' irwcrtomiled to rnyattemtlt^ also
< - that ootOfagj: ^Aug', theBurAanwao 4 jj g| Uf e ed at tfcie footing
and that-' ft mi g a| »t ege*M«> ■0mm BIST* wee there aa
oa^ ^vii^g^ sv»irie -iigga; Lotf m $mx katham.
X thought you would also Of intareeted to know that
PWRVIS haa loft San Franeieco fox tho last egd will aaico an off art
to make soa# connection there for f uture;Oaployapat. I have bom
eble to 'pick up that the work |OMTXiJefd ; hia asfeoletes was doing
'• waa in lino with Safeway*a prograa^to fight tfcb movement to ©urtail
chain etoreaf nor It appears, that all tho big chain group* la
California have united and will take on thla fight* which leave#
FCJ?Vi3 out dine# be, apppfrently, waanotchoeen to carryon the
program.
My information is to the affect that FOHVlfi has no
desire to come book to the Most Coast if ho non wake an Sastem
connection. Jtoat SMITH and NATttkN will do is yuastionabla although
..... X understand that SMITH is going bant and MASHAS till probably go to
Loo Angelos* NICHOLS, it is ondoretood* ba« already gone to Loo
Angelas,
47 -1 OS'/ ryf
«MN 19
t
<£**•»
;i
%
WALLACE COmOR of the
*■ Tr was desirous of g«
discharged as a res
might be a poeaiblll
••other man. X, of
la our service «:
sould, therefore.
t had a call from Coaaendar miihHlOC
[yal Intelligence, who stated to ae that
ng in touch with any Agents who eight be
of our curtailment, since he felt there
that his organization could take on
ourse, advised him that I knew of no Amenta
ire contemplating resignation and that I
- _ of no assistance to hie. XXxring our general
icmversation I "wormed* out of him that he had been to see both
THaad NATHAN several weeks ago -and that they had given him
M MUm thay Wa>« folding up here la San Praneiedd. *did
not let him know In any way that 1 knew they were leaving, an
doubt whether he would get together with them looking to the
possibility that either SMITH or MATH*# might be associated with
the Navel Intelligence on a permanent basle. •
» v 1
' ¥ 1 '“P anything further along this line,
I shall advise you Immediately.
Tory truly yours.
KTLPtHLA
K. *♦ L. PIXPiK,
Special Agent in Charge
AIRMAIL SPJCCIAL DELIVERY
•f
_IFROI
JAN i it )'M
3te&eral SSumut of Xnuestigatfair
Utiiteft States department of Dusttee
Los Angeles, California
May 31, 1938
Mr* J* E. Hoover, Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U, S. Department of Justice,
■Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hoover: PERSONAL AND
I recently learned from Mr. Henry^ietz^who was
formerly a Special Agent in our Bureau, but who is now.attached
to th^pffice of the State Attorney General in California, that
MelvinFurvis had closed his office in San Francisco, California.
Mr. Dietz- mentioned this to me on an occasion when I saw him re¬
cently at a meeting of the California State Sheriffs Association.
Dietz said that he did not know just what type of work Purvis had
been doing in San Francisco, saying that so far as he knew, Purvis*
had no appreciable law practice there.
/Mr. Dietz alsopald that former Special Agent in
Charge W. Aj^iith and Bruce) 1 flathan, who were affiliated with Purvis,
had also left San Francisco, Smith going to Indianapolis, Indiana,
and Bruce Nathan coming to Los Angeles where he is reported to be
affiliated with an organization known as Braun and Company* This
latter organization, according to Dietz, is engaged in work of some
kind in behalf of the chain stores, Dietz not being familiar with
the work other than to say that he understood the organization fol¬
lowed legislation pertaining to chain stores. He also said that he
understood that Bruce Nathan would be in Los Angeles fof possibly a
period of.several weeks and thereafter Nathan was to be in charge of
an office for Braun and Company in some portion of Western United
States. /^ ) j / Ci Qt
JHHjHQ
in some portion of Western United
yf- '7 V S’ 2 __
^Vepy^&uly yours,’" = " '' * * ' * I *Vt$l(GAT7GN
i933a - m -
n« nA.ioQM' ", -r
Special Agent’"i^raarge^ i ^ 3 *^r- —^
/^•° A'/
JUN 3 0 J938 rznl,..
I
T
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
JELiTD
% *
Jfrlieral Shtrcmt of Unuesttgation
United States department of Justice
Hlaaljinston, d. <£.
August 25, 1938
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
I thought you would be interested to know that while
Mr. Lawler was in New York he accidentally ran into a friend
from his home town, Mobile, Alabama, Miss Clara Yer&er, and
she relatedrthat a short tine before she had becone acquainted
with MelvlnPurvisj that Purvis was in New York endeavoring to
bee one associated with an insurance company believed by her to
be an insurance company which has employed a number of Bureau
Agents heretofore. It appears that this insurance company was
not interested in employing Mr. Purvis.
Miss Yerger further related that she was advised Mr.
Purvis was proceeding to Florence, South Carolina, where he is
to marry one of his childhood sweethearts, who has been married
for some ten years. His fiancee is presently divorcing herself
from her husband in order to marry Mr. Purvis.
Respectfully 1 ,
»Stcjte|R6lice|Hed<ded?
jBv(PuVvis?islUrge(i' it.
:! By iPu
' \ By t U'Assocl»t?4 T'itis. ' • 1
i’C<bl.TJMBlA.'S. C4 s J^n. I 13.4-G° V-' .
jmnymiMut tenlc pro p osed,& -ster-,
diy in hlslnaugural address to place
. . ’Mtivtnl Ema.:- formers ace;£Prfi£n;
• VhoKlgured, In; the f capture of'John
'Dfllinger,; at sthe ’head'- Of -a> State
ipolice• J systtmj lfvthe^Legislatur e
'' \CSS13~ we ate il l ‘ - •. • r f r , ; , ;
."iHe'sSrcTHe^would a$k ; Mr/ Purvis,
(a inatiVfr'oX^Timmonsville; S.,C,^to
■; assist in setting up the “State ,police
» system■ under: a' plan' similar to', the
'Fed&al Bureau of; Investigation,r I :
' “Vri ’ Purvis'/ reputation* wilhHhe
I Federal bureau,** *is a'guaVanteej
\of '• v|hat" could; bei accomplished 1 ifj
our plan can be carried out"' . £
f'lgut/tfi/ ~PokZi^
}
■ I
' U! UM'iO
JAN 1 ^
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 13, 1939
PERSONAL and
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C,
Dear Sir*
Please be .advised that in the lateyafternoon of January
9, 1939, Mr. R, G. Me CALM.!, Former special agent of this Bureau
who is now connects with the insurance organization formerly
headed by the late ..YUAN PAW' visited the Philadelphia office,
McCALLIJM .SPGNS -Uxu SPECIAL .AGENT MAXWELL CHAFFS 12 in my
absence, and it appears that he was 3ust passing through Phila¬
delphia on his way to Camden, and dropped In the office in order
t® see Agents McDSVXIT and FALLON, both of whom were known to- him.
During his conversation with Agent/CHAFFST2, Mr, McCALLUM
stated that he understood that efforts are being made now to secure
.a successor to .Mr. PARRISH, and that he has heard rumors to the
effect that former Special agents in Charge R. 2, FETTER!! and
NyKELVIN PURTI^are possibly being considered. .Ir, McCALLUM further
remartod ’that he understood that Mr. 'VETTERLI and former Special
Agent LEON G, TURROU are doing some work with the investigative
.organization being conducted by former Special Agents TRACY and
SEERY. He also remarked that he understood that TUKROU has made
same arrangements with ±RACY whereby the latter is to be TURROH’S
agent in connection with the writing of any future articles. He
further stated that ho believes Mr. VETTERLI -is writing a book
concerning his activities In the Bureau.
For your ixifomation it appeared that Mr, McCALLUM*3
visit to this office was only a social call, and he did not re¬
quest any information.
Very truly yours,
S/ A. B. Leckie, SAC
copy-lk
/
UTjJW
October 1, 193d
Time - 11*16 A. Jf*
llimMBXM FOR -THE FILE
SAC Brantley called fnm lev lark stating that Ageat BUI XcXulty
l^wj»d that be mv Smtx last night at «a e*ti^ place in lev
Iork > that Seery advised to the effect to join
tho law fix* af BUI XcSeai* la Chicago; th at Ttirfo v. is supposed
&o bo in charge of tho personnel department of sow largo firm in
Dew Iork,-but that Seery refused to disclose tho name of tho firm
to Agent IcBulty; that former Ageat Toa loal lo endeavoring to con-
»ith tho Tracy-Seery outfit; that Seery made otatenonts
indicating that thoro are only too non in tho Bureau oho kaoo ohr
y^ttorli loft tho service, aoatioaing tho Director and me, and
toUiag Agoat Bclfulty that he, Seexy, would furnish hia with tho
imfarmatis he has on thin subject "in about too years from now,*
Xr. Brantley adrisod that ho learned thatJttti^Assistant United
has joined aoao fix* that represents the
Daily Boos; that Egan ia a good friend of Biley Cooper stm * also
"that a aea 'by the naae of Carter, of the saae lira,
is likewise believed to -be a friend of Tracy; and that these sources
probably represent Tracy* s connections with the Daily lews.
Xr. Brantley stated that Xke Xc|nally called
this being merely a "get acquainted* visit.
bin yesterday afternoon
JE, A. TAXI
(, y-/V93-v7&
A
z
PURVIS AMD HIS BRIDE
^'"Tre IN TIMMONSVILLE
1 TIMMONSVItLE. S. C., Nov, 17
••—Melvin‘Purvis and hU bride have
.returned from ‘ their wedding ■ trip.
•They arrived here today by. auto-
.mobile Irom Charlotte and New
iVork. They are at the Purvis home
On Main street With "Miss Mary
Beth Purvis, the former G-man's
-youngest .sister.
V
\
a*
I pfelyin
Mrs; Mosanneiriayior
iCeFem o ny>Takes* Pface in :CharJI 6 tte r With 'Dr. Luther.LiUleOf-
ificiating—Will Make Their„Honfo i 11San'Francfsco;
^After-Honeymoon'jrip'toJEurope.,’. ' , ‘ '
^lelviu Purvis of .ffimmonsvillc, 'S. G., ,-former ace ; in-
ives.tigator ojf'the!F^B;:I.,‘.wasfjnarrjeil^ast'higlit',iR»ja.quict
'ceremony ■at i 'Pir$t-Baptist church'chapel‘ini Charlotte),to
fMrs.'Rosahne'.Willcox'-Tayldr ofiFlorchce,-S.'C.V,and‘;Bdlti?
{more, Md. - V ' ' • ' • : • . ’ "
f ^ l rh9'form<r,,G-ttsJut'.Va.«^s$uc<i -- -
t cense 3$3, yesterday afternoon "at the
s register; of deeds 'Office. - arid * gave
|his,, age /?$ -31, -while ‘ that".ofthe
lbridc-to-be-was?li$ted at :30; ; 1
|DR. LITTLE;IX CHARGE.
'-The .'marriage ■ took/ place /at < six
| o'clock rwith * Dr.'; Luther < Little of
sthe'First Baptist church officiating.
S Present ‘for, the Redding were Phil-
} lip,’arid 1 St; GeorgeiWillcox of.Flor-
tw»ce, .brothers t of /the,; bride, "Mrs.
I *p. :A. Wilicox.;mother of,the bride.’
/ if Miss; Mary JBeth 3 Purvis,..sister: of
/ : Purvis. , :* ,« ' ;
/ : Mrs. 'James Method’'Congress-'
7 i A; rH * frasque. 'Rivers Me-
/ f S* 1 *'Mbs Flor * 'Barringer/ and’Al-
| yen Gasque of Florence were ;prCs*
1 rent i for, the: w eddirigr as was'^Wil-
I iliam '.Yates of Charlotte. ‘
I »LEAVE «FOR • NEW YORK. ^ « ;
' ,.35; f;*?<* 'bridegroom * left
,Jast night,at.8:15 by train for New
, ‘Vork, ?and ,\ ; Mr. /Purvis/- said’-* that
jthey. expect to - spend .'a 5 part ofthe
honeymoon in Europe. %
'Mr,.Purvi* is now practicing law
.in San Francisco, Calif He* became
: 'A national r figure > several'years ago
'•while ■ connected i with 'the - Federal
{Bureau of -Investigation/when ■- he
,'trapped'end-shot;,to-,death the'-No.
U bad:man - of the /day, .’John ,Dil-
,hnger.„ . - •- , , ,-r
{CHILDHOOD {.ROMANCE. !
'■Theymarriage ■ was,-a .culmina-
itfon of "a-childhood-romance.start-
! ed •> in '.TimmonsviUe. ■ when -'Melvin
■ Purvis :became- enamored- with-the
beauty of 12-year-old ; .’Rosanne
fWlllCOX. «- t 1 >- « I • . J
. ’Bh* - two ’/Went ; their-vsemrate
ways.: and Mr. - Purvis went. on I to
world-wide,■»fame '•as,.the;G-Man
who trapped and shot the No.iL bad
man; of | the-country. "•
1 iWhen'he returned to his old'home
j a* short s time v ago, t the - old r romance
was rekindled. ■ * .;
( ■■'Yesterday.-,they ‘said {their/vows
,£n a,beautiful;$ettlng. /At their're-
1 l quest,-,the ceremony, was performed
f Just; atf twilight,;, with* no, artificial
{lighting; - z ;
I /As f they camel from .thj^gbwf'rt;
P they* passed/th rough* a~;latge i group!
I of i churchgoers, j who # had/learned;
rwho {the; famous-bridegroom'.was. !J.
.iM
JaN 19 1134
-Washington Post
S'jpttaber 16, l$i*3
Wircplioto: 'FormerAccG-Man^SLads
Melvin* Purr}* </***.**. r I'- 1 ^ tt* AwtUirt'hlil.. ‘
' { orm * r ' Juitlc «-Dtpartrltnt.flstnUKho w« treked
with wiping out.ptspwo4or jQhn-Mlilticr, ‘PTttty<Bo'j , ’‘Flo'jd ini
? r :w 't h ' ht9 J>’Ht4 tHe i<yrrf.t MrtdRpeinrie, WitignlVay.
lor, shortly efter thtir wedding at Chal'gtte,-N.“C. ■ 1 *
Toi >0 i
*
\Piiwis W~ed
Wo Baltimore
Matron
CHARLOTTE, N. C.. Sept.
IS..—Melvin Tiu-vis, former
Federal Bureau of Investiga¬
tion operative who directed
th® hunt for John DiUinger
and was "In on the kill.” was
married here yesterday to
Mrs. Rosanne Willcox Tay.
lor, of Florence S. C., and
Baltimore,
Purvis, now a San Francis¬
co attorney, gave his age as
31. The bride Is 30. »
! Purvis, whose home I* pn
immonsville, S. C., resigned
fi om the FBI to write the
11 side story of some of l»is
adventures.
M & l *' II;
Mr, T« i i - \ t - %-
Mi*. ChfaiS ,.«*»*-»** -
Mr, i'ro ivl .
Mr* D«w««y
Mr, £% ia -
Mr, Ko* worth s s -*..
Mr, Clatta
Mr, II«r&o -t-.uu,
Mr,
Mr,
Mr,
Mr, Trley -- .
MU« Uuit^ji
i
„,V>
) , ;
K
Former G-Man to Wed
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 10
—Mrs. Rosanne Wlllcox Taylor of l lor-
enc£, ^ G„ will be married $oo. i to
Melt in 'Purvis, former aee G-Man ac¬
cord ng to a letter received here Aom
Mrs. Taylor. The disclosure was made
last" night by Mr, and Mrs. \V. D. Hill,
with whom Mrs. Taylor lived hero
while obtaining a divorce from Archl-
bold R. Taylor of Baltimore,
''zaj t-w, £> (1 A
0 /n r
ral {Bureau of Jnuratigati
UrutrJi §fat ea department of Jfuattco
Atlanta, Georgia
March.2, 1959
JECshn
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirt
PERSONAL AND CgTTFga SX&2&
Mr. Tolfoa »•****
Mr. NttJsaa *»■«***■*»«
Mr. E.Jk.TtxJn.....
Mr. CIrgs -
Mr. CoSsy a.Xrt
Mr. Crowl *jrn*«* 4
Mr. Egin
Mr. Voxworth.......
Mr. Glfivtu...........
Mr. SnV>...........
Mr. te*««r
Mr. Mela tire.......„.
Mr. NieSw>:» («*«< nr>n
Mr. QaiaaTwasa...,
Mr. Tr&cy............
Mt*» C*»<ly..........
On Maroh 1, 1939 I addressed the .members of the
Military Order of the World War in Atlanta, Georgia, and at
the speaking engagement I net an individual who stated that
A he lives in South Carolina and is well acquainted with MELVIN
^TUHTIS. This nan told ne that in all probability PURVIS will
be put in charge of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. I
asked hin if he had any definite information as to when Mr.
PURVIS would take over this* position and he stated that he
didtnot, but he has learned that the position has been of¬
fered to Mr. PURVIS. I do not recall the nane of the infor¬
mant, but this information is being submitted to you as it
is not known whether the Bureau has been advised in this
matter.
Very truly yours,
A- &
J. E. CIEGG Cj^o
Special Agent in Charge
i—-—
VurvlsAnd A Report
Melvin-Jp.urvls, sometime G-Man,
who is credited,with being responsi¬
ble .for the end of John'Dillinger,
Baby. Face 'Nelson,,and other public,
-enemies, came back to Colu mbia the
f other day to tell the legislature of"
i South ■ Carolina that he • was ready
'to accept a Job at the head,of,the*
-State :Police which Governor 'May-
bank wants to establish,,and to say
that .he thought the'time “propi¬
tious", for the establishment of such
a police on a purely merit basis.
From ithis distance, -it ‘looks ,as
though the thing ought to be a fore¬
gone conclusion. The present' 1 State
.Constabulary is obviously not .much
-shakes. For one'thing 1 ,,it is much,
too small. : And, for-another, it is a
, political football. The men get their.
Jobs, not because of ^fitness-but be¬
cause they ’-know somebody. And.'
throughout its existence, the force
has been mainly used for such things
as Governor Richard's drive to make
life miserable .for Sunday-golfers or.
Governor Johnston's pet purposes,
rather than for actually coping with
crime. , On the other hand,'Purvis
'seems'theddeal man to get.aireal
police force going on a sound basis.
But .for all that South Carolina
Senate’s committee ’ turned .out an
“unfavorable" .report on the May-'
.bank bill. Far be it'from us to take
‘to monkeying-with-homet’s nests or,
telling 'South Carolina how to -run'
her business. -But’all the same we’,
can’t help wondering mildly about ;
that*
Hr. Cro-^1. *•
Mr. Ezra.... .
Mr. FoxirsTth.-
Mr. GUvU
Mr. A*-***'*
zit.VvUi .
Mr.
Mr. NU
Mr. QulaV Twstfa-^
Mr.Txaer——
.7
’I
* »
* 4
>.)
Z)
• tj
'_/. . g-f
Submitted by Chari0 it0 Ott &Snrr?
State’s 1 Police Plan
K, !, , - > •—* i»
'»
Interest in Governor Maybank’s Proposal
for New System Heightened with - Governo| . , Firs j
Appearance of Purvis Personal Appearance in
- —“7~—.. j y .—~r ; Legislative Chamber
COLOMBIA, Jan. 26.—Special: There si ,* humming interest here in i
Governor Maybank’s desire and plans'for s'hiw_style law-.enforce- . ■«—
ment agency for the central stale government. ’He first expressed hU Columbia, 'Jan. 26.~Special: Gov-
desire m a‘pre-inaugvu-al >pe«h at Charleston, repeated.tt at the time cmor Burnet Ri Maybank today
of his inauguration and projected it once more this week when he d KU‘first ’Personal aoDcarahce
called Melvin;Purvis to Columbia for a conference'and-later announced .uV (KSt
; Purvis had agreed .to head a new agency. vfu ini^r.tlon -
Pyrvis Is the /young South Caro-3 —'--- -—- — — assembly .since hts inauguration, ,,
in one of the halls’of the general
assembly .since his inauguration, !
** „
| Mr.
Mr, K»Hm.
$fes
.Mr, Cotfry --..t, i,„
Mr. Crow!,,..,..
Mr. Bgin.,
Mr. P»vw,>i-ik
>lr, Ct»vb»
Mr, U ,ri>o
Mr.
M;. MctaOxv.
Mr. Mlfh«! i.......... ;
Mr. QufaiTa-wa..,. j
IfnA who fccontlv has boofi . <.« . . « Invited hy the $en&t£ # the
oraetieing in San Pra^ei«oand who regarding a new state ,law- governor, made a .short, impromptu '
tirt in tte apprthensFon and jeimng enforcement agency is a question wcchil , which he .expressed - his c«4y„
Z*£i £ h 'SS AUfwffSf tr,s-
specific plan? - for an agency, -and •£* ^^^ization tl2t h^ When « ot W* th9 *' Mr > *?ay-
• SpeOulation is rife i here. Some-are JJLJjfl,?,.- Afhu’mm run bank .would appear in the-senate, a
: guessing-that since ;Purvis will be c °“^ih^Pebrua^l °bX h£ said «owd quickly filled ev ? ry seat be-
selectcd as the director,' the new ^ ^ *’ bU * * hind the railing on the senate floors
agency may take the form of the .. . , ,. and .many others pushed into ’.the
[federal , bureau.;Others .believe the *t is considered extremely tin* g^neries. -Downstairs many -who
i governor may propose to the general )hkely_ here that the highway Patrol find seats stood. The
assembly a uniformed force. will be involved. -Friends of the wna t c had:-scheduled Purvis .to
ai—- highway department:in-the general ip^ak, on a police system and then
When the. new, governor’s, prede- assembly say they do notbelicve R w »s proposed that the .'governor
cessor, Olin'D. Johnston, was recom- any proposal for a new state general ^ invited to speak, 1 Senators W, H.
mending a.state t police -force, he law-enforcement agency would in- Nicholson, -of ‘Greenwood, and
always • called: for a “unified”. sys- elude a provwion'for the absorption CotcsworthP.Mteans.of Charleston,
tem, specifying the merging of the by, it of ,the ; patrol. were sent to extend - the invitation
state highway patrol and the state t ’The highway commission and to the governor.’-immediately word
constabulary. Mr, Maybank has not executives - of the department • are flashed through -the lobbies up and
used ‘the word "unified", or >’said known to-be particularly proud of downstairs that >Mr. Maybank was
that he would 1 propose such - an the patrol, now a body of 130 uni- to make an appearance in the senate
amalgamation, although .in his In- formed officers and men,' and they land the rush was on, ’ <
augural address he did say ibis: speak glowingly of the patrol’s , R was the'-first 1 time in history
“With our law-enforcement agenr record.-The.guess-here is that any tha< , a charleston man, • elected by
cics coordinated under a state police proposal to change .its status would the poopi*, had addressed the senate
system, we will: then be equipped result-in stern-resistance. j„ jts chambers. The - inauguration,
to deal, with criminals .and law- j • - 0 j course, .h a Joint session of.the
breakers of all kinds. / The state constabulary , is a-body assemblybut it is held out of doors
.That really is-as-far as he ha s/ 0 f twenty-one men -at this time, or in the hall of the house. So this
gone,, but another reference -to his pjior'to repeal, it was a smaller was an unusual event .that occurred
inaugural address shows how body but when prohibition went in the senate chamber today.
.seriously , 'and determinedly Mr. out the- constabulary was Enlarged :Mr. Maybank came, in smiling,
i Maybank is taking the law-enfore.e- on the theory that it would be flanked by towering Senator Means
■merit responsibility, of the governor, needed 'to-enforce' the > new. liquor- and bald, stout Senator ‘Nicholson.
On-that he said: control-laws. '.Much of its activity The senators-stood.as'the governor
“The-constitution of South Caro- hat been - the - old ; prohibition-days and his escorts made’their way* to
}lna vests 'in thi - governor the f unc tloin of destroying corn-whiskey the rostrum, with .serious,- small Mr.
responsibility for the enforcement of ,tin». Purvis with fthem. The governor
law, yet under our present system Such law-enforcement as -has wore a brown suit and brown -tie.
he - is not provided with 'adequate sprU ng from ! the governor in the Purvis, looking anything .like you
law-enforcement machinery neces- j aJ t - decade, or -.longer, ’has - come would■ imagine the man who <got
?ary to carry out this constitutional f rom his constabulary. [Plainly. Mr. Dillinger, wore a blue suit and dark
mandate. The first step to-assure j^aybank docs not regard this as an blue tie. Purvis rtalks-in a deep,
the observance of law in-South adequate force and is determined to clear -voice and measures-every
.Carolina should " be | the establish- t5 tablish a new - and :up-to-date word. His tone is almost ministerial,
ment of a state police-system on a agency. The - senate -obviously wa tL^tre- ’ ~?3iYV
merit basis, independent of polities. _ mendously interested in the appear- ' "'
, 1 Specific plans as to a law-enforce- of ? the new governor., J9fter
Whether-the highway-patrol, now |ni e^ C jgency and as-to.almost'any- senators pay,slight attention to visit- W ' > I
> l a ad . vnf . p 0 Officers and men, will ,|lse idoubtless "will not.be ing-speakers,, but’today-the atten-
be-involved in any.proposals-to.be fort h C oming .unliL-alier Governor- tiqn.was almost intense. The govtrJ
' *.' • Maybank shall have received -thd nor was.warmly applaudedjis^ \
report-of .-the legislative, committee I ____. \ \J
r which:has begtin *-ipecial study. of j)_ I , .
\| the state’s .financial cohdition.-Mr. £ P fli ft
« Maybank }s anxious to get as soon ££*£-*~Lbu
I as- possible: a; true, and t comprehend **
| sive picture ■ of < the- financial.-’ si tty--/ - Ju / 7_ t? q
] at {on. ,/.
! -Aim«.ts. --^ Subai ttea ( by Charlo-fita Offifa "
:%aO.T
> S. g.. ~yjjL^n.
3*
Ready To Chase
Public Enemies
* 'In Native State
11
inti
Offers Services In‘Address to
^ 'House Members; Urges ,
; Change In System.
li m®.
. MELVIN PURVIS (*bove)7^«ve
r*m» mni k nsv ille, S.-C., and former
G-man who ended the reign of John
P 1 ! m 5? r * n d Other public enemies,
yestwd-ay told member* of the South
paroling House that he. was ready
to head, a -proposed State police
.system m his native.state and that
■he believed "the time propitious . to
nnHnL^rP 011 -^ * y * tenV ' - Besides
Piilmger, Purvis was responsible for
the ; capture of Baby .Face Nelson.
Ous t gan^steP toi ‘^ r> W <i 0thcr hotorl-
ous gangsters.
$ w C P^ m l mA:s - c -> y<n - </TV-
1 ^?y in Purvis, tiemesis of Johui
| pilhngcr .and other public enemies
a {during -his- former days -as a' G-
man, probably will head 1 South
Carolina s State police ■ system if
such a Iforc’e-is. established af the
present 'legislative session.
1 Governor' :Bumet Maybank is-
sued_ ra- .statement saying Purvis
. vith « r «t -.sacrifice to .himself
has expressed a willingnessto head
such a force when-and if-it is set 1
up. ( ‘
Purvis, a native of JTimmonsville,
addressed. the -House of ,Represen.
tatives, briefly,, saying he • believed
the timepropitious to -set up a
police system,” '
A' bill’to establish- a State.wide
; * on .the i Senate calendar f
r w *^r , ‘ y -unfavorable , com- f
i tuittce report. No such measure has t
, ,, presented h'n .the House, t
1 response to,his ?
’ '”*u 2 ural address recommendation r
■ l?* a _ State ..police had convinced 5
; mrn • that the people want such a £
I*w enforcement system establish, f
he favored,’a force “or- t
ganized , purely on- a merit basis.” ,
U. 1 'JV m ?°^ ,b ^ the, declared, *
I hivt rigid Jaw enforcement 1
Without the proper organization for „
* fi( * order and will
go the limit ■ with, the proper plan: ti
“It is not,enough-just to wish £
for law ; and-order. We have got «
to ^ pro vide , the, forc e ■ to carry it I £
I-Purvis was introduced - 1 to -the
House-by -Representative McFad-
Km bf< Clarendon as a South 'Cite.
Jinwh "who won-world-wide, rbc-
pgmtion when he- was directly .be-
** «bfcf of the 1 Chicago
FBI office, for the capture of John
Billinger, .Baby Face Nelson, Pretty
Boy Floyd, and other notorious
gangsters and racketeers.”
-If -1 can be of any * assistance,”
Pur™* said, -1 want you all to know
that-it would be a distinct- pleasure
and honor to serve my -home
State. ... It has been my earnest
how to come back here and:live
with the people l was raised-with,
“It is my earnest opinion that
the.people want,the police system,
because they, don’t want South Car-
oiina to become saturated with
crime a s havt Seozag^tjthcr states.”
by Charlotte Off'
mm
.1 f i : - i s *e»\ * pSsfieSsmW
>FORMER G-MAN'
TO 'HEAD ! POLICE
.'Melvin .Purvis, .former ace
G-man, who led agents in, the
. slaying of John'.Dillinger,: has ■
agreed * to > head ‘ the ‘proposed'
\South 'Carolina ’state -police.
Governor ‘Burnet: , May bank
; announced«Wui*sday, -Purvis,
'Is a native of ’TimmonsviHe,,
'S. G—Journaiiphoto. _ .
EF 4 G-Man’
Grges 'S. C.
Talks to Assembly
*<5.
’-VSPt
r
Purvis SccsMaybank,Talks''
«lo Assembly; -Governor
Backsiilim Fqrl’ost
The state pollfco Issue waiPdr.**
mutually ■ presented toiho tegisla-,
. tyre Wednesday when Melvin .Purr
vl*. of G-man fAio«', addressed ’the
ho-uso -01 representatives,-, endorsing
>the pica; made by OovernOr-ltlornct
R. iMaybank ’ In hi* .Inaugural. ad¬
dress.
Colne Went -with -.Purvis’. address
was a-statement by Governor May.
Ibanh revealing that Purvis "with
, great sacrifice to himself has ex«
.pressed' a,"Wjuingne*-i to head such
;* force whtn.and It It 1 * set up.”
. Purvis came , to,: Colombia , today
•, from Tfmnxonsvine. his home town.
-aCthe renuost. of the. governor, "and
,h!s address to the house followed a
' -long* conference In ' the -governor’s
office. . . ,.
' '’’Since my ( Inaugural '.address, *
- Governor ..May bank > mM,' “1 ■ have
1 received > hundreds ■ Of •< to-«grdms
ana letters On the 1 stele 'police
subject. ■ and the,- conclusion»X - have
, reached 'U .that the .people want
•such a’ law-enforcement system es-
. ttablished. ■
-,; 'Public 'Interested
'"Ihereiwas a wider response tOi
■ J-the police' subject than any Others
, In my message, -P.had talked with
Mr. Purvislbefore, and I met whh
, .him 1 again - today. '.Me came : here
at my.request and wlth great-sac¬
rifice to himself ha*, expressed a
■willingness ■ to head such a?force
> . when and If '.It ts set-up.
. The governor asserted > that-he
'favored’,a state-police system ”or-
, ganired • purely on k merit basis.”
, ’’It,, 1 * ’ Impossible,” ‘he»deelareJ,
* *‘to' have rigid. s law* enforcemen t
without the proper organization
'for It. X am for law, and order and
4 will - go the .limit with the proper
:pUd. It#i*. not; enough dust* to
.'wish for.law.and order. We have
1 .got‘-to provide the force to .carry
lit-out." *
The governor disclosed'also that
>he had requested 1 hearing*, before
•'the 'judiciary > committee* of the
senate and house,! the ..senate fi¬
nance, committee-and -the -house
- way* and .mean* - committee .'to. go
more fully. Into the law enforce¬
ment .subject -He - plan* < to have
Purvis attend the'heartngs-Thurs-
iday so that-he might -give .any
«desired J Infomatton.
Introduced byj MeFadden ,
Purvis t w* »! introduced * to -the
thouse by Rep. J. Hugh MePadden
■ of>Ctarepdon-»*’ f *4 .• native - South
'* Carolinian < and graduate s of the
University of'South Carolina-who
won • worldwide,: recognition when
, he ‘.was ’directly l responsible.' - as
chief of:the. ■ Chicago PBX • office, for.
the capture of John Diutnger.'pabyl
lyace-yelso m* Pmtty -B oy P?oyd and!
.other: notorious.,-'gangster* • and*
;racmeer*.’^ -i 1
' Melvin : Purvlsy of - Timmons--
;vl(te, former 1 (‘G-man,” -today
conferred iwith ^Governor .Mayl
fbank .who .declared '.that ! he
-wanted. I Purvis -* to .(.head 'the,
estate police , system J .whIeh he
had .proposed. tPurvis ilattr-
'talked -before :the ^general 'as - 1
.sembly, saying,he thought tile
•time .had.-eome ,?for‘ SoujpJ
__-
Submitted by Charlotte Office.
U’urvis i WlM noJ -( that ;^ o g;.:j
in South • Cm-oVim. „ ^ j,^ w<
(Sastisr-
‘ 6h 2,". W < ‘ can e bo% - any 1 assistance •' I
If.I nan no vi « i thsl4{ .would
- ^^'^istincU Pieasuro -'and - honor
W serve t»M 6t ^pc -U come
'with whom f.VVJcitliens
ifavor Of It because It*vvas the w
* i?4 w n decent I standard ’ Pf’* 1 ?*" 8
'item P ^ Pt Vcauso Jhey ^t .want
don't -have 'ah 'of these', bad
SllrSSivii
„ 4, ?r>i'Qplt lev 5 inSov th ' paro)ina.^
M U ’’The •state should ’ have m’ force
■with Jurisdiction- dyer the _cu
‘ tercement Of -all the',Saws. Xt must
■ '^V
tt0 *.if 1 |K n are. 'allowed it&s,*»•
terfere ? ^ttwill r topple Cover-and. no
rnn, not'even ;the ^onorablo_ go
- ernor.' could ,touch - it with a .10
i0 n ; w«twitb-.tlm T'CY-lor*«1«M
SSrfww?. cs ’would t any : man
‘•the toe* of other*..usurping thWr
.authority. There would beno rea-
j son for failure i to .cooperate . w 1th
.the sheriff* and-poUco, -’t. U,- •
-It’woutd post somo monej. ;
“Radio f cars' could
■t'leypes ar.d t-Jl
• the organiz-aH'Ai comoiMo rrP c .. -»u i
we could have * law* XTsr^tt>
•*M-saaas»a§@-a;
, ’^SS 85 S?tSK»<-“Sr«&
i sgsa 3 fe w!ffig!> *« n
- h i» l father who A.dsfd jrecem.iy*-- • «■
WsWouJd
'ostihpMfivS^.
• As jfc
'■;t«. 4,J
sm
. * '^b. it i.,
/•Sgg
/ ,«*ree«t to had-
/ '.vf* It -W4t Mflvfr, -
- 4 ?K£ o as'-£,jW. : i
« 8228 S“g>.ife 2 ?«?J
;*ubeowmiit« n ^ n £* t 'on* -the ;/
sported, \v 0u Jrf ^ ? c ‘ i{ *« ! l
Mr, Toiaos,
Mr.
, ;>fr, ci*32..
,t ..
Si
«
Mr. £s*n.............
Me. Foxworth,......
Mr, GSavtn...........
’p. H»W .....<yX
IC5r. Inter f^l.,..
aff^r
tti-j (jAiao Tuan.,..
-1 Mr, Tr»ey............
rf ,
i Ml*, GxaJy
42.
Suba i
' Ui by
' *'. ..' -' . ’4
' ’Vi ’ •
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
Ol RECTOR
WRG:MTS
• *
ifrhcrnl Uitrcmt of Imicstigatioit
Huiteft Staten Slcparf mettf of ^fustier
mmwmmmmmmwmm
Ur. Cofer ...........
Hr. Owl............
Hr. Egta
< -*•
HlasIjittBtoii^. C.
March 15, 1939
Time: 2:18 P.M.
Hr. Fox^rerth.......
Hr. G!*vln...........
Hr. TttxbQ ,mnr*m«
Hr. Leste? irtrmm.
Mr. MelstJra,,
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
<*
\
Mr. Ktcht.lt ..........
Hr. QnJaaTusia....
Mr. Tracy rnnrnnmi
W2r,j Casdy__
-mm it mm • *«»■• »•««*• •■■■■■
I
Miss Shannon, Secretary to Mr. Early at the White
House, telephonically communicated with me and stated that
she had Aj^t received a call from a person identifying himself
as MelvirTPurvis who was desirous of securing an appointment
with Mr. Early.
She wanted to know whether Mr. Purvis was the former
employee who had written the spy stories. I advised her that
he was not, that he was formerly in charge of the Chicago Of¬
fice of the FBI. She then wanted to know whether we knew of
any reason why Purvis wanted to see Mr. Early. I told her that
I did not personally know of any reason; however, I would check
and call her back.
»
Miss Shannon advised that Mr. Purvis is stavino at
the Washington Motel .
t
I
I
. 1
1
V
Pwrvis Offered «1
Police Chief Post!
EVANSTON, IU., May 25—Mel¬
vin Purvis, former G-man who led
I [Federal agents the .night the noj
‘.tdrtous John Dlllinger was slain
outside a Chicago theater, was
being .considered today for the
.pp$t of police Chief in Evanston.
(Announcement that the position
hid been offered Purvis was made]
by Mayor .'Henry, D.’Fcnfield. ^
/I j .'7
V
^ASHXIIfn’nN TXESS-MEEAIjIi
f li
XTvP 0,3!
m
j
| l J< ( ) |%.W lid
(copy-cmcw.) |
*
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
-FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
. t
.RECORD OF mfiKHCKB CALL 'OR VISITOR«
May 9, 1939.
Time 10; 55 AM
Name Max Bessler, of News ReeR
/Magazine, tele.
i
Referred *to
Details;
.Hslced Rf the. Bureau .could tell bin
where MelvljT^urvls was at the present time.
He was advised that Mr? Purvis 'was no longer with
he .Bureau and that his .present whereabouts were
not known to the Bureau,
1 sbs
Notation:
No information of any kind should
be given News ^eek.
H.
c
I'M
0
1
*
\;^ v
, 1 ,
?
■ \
f
f
1'MV 1
1 * iVk
'Victhnto 'Cupid i
'Janke'J*rir*tt
(SAN-'ANTON 10, 'Tex.,' :
>MarcH 9 (flP).—Lovely Janice ;
Jarratt, fameiiiNew York’
{artists’ ;model- -who*.-once‘
v/
%r, T&’*'.n
Alt. N«*{n>a
fitt. ?» A, Tusxn.
Mr. C5«2-...... |
Air. Cai."*y
. Crowl......
Jfc Eg*a ..
Mr.‘ roinwjrtii,
Kr. <E»vta
K/i
Mr.
Mr. Sit yUroA.yil.
.Mr. NaApi^-j/_
Mr. QyieVTtswa.^.
J Mr. Tracy
| MU» Gasx&y,
I
• «*■!»*» MUM
*■••••*«*•****»»#*»»**»»»
Clipping fror. .
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
CAM: MAR 101939
JAN 1 & 1334 '
FOTMARCED 3Y fB!f YORK DIVISIOH.
A.
Purvis' ex-throb weds— Jim,-ce Jarrett, model,
movie - actress | and, radio ■ star 1 who once; was. engaged - to ’ former
G-man - Melvin - Purvis, was, married i at San .Antonio, Tex.,, toi
Thomas Deely/an engineer. Only relatives and .friends attended
ceremony, held: in * St. ,■ Paul’s Episcopal' church. Couple left* fori
Mexico hone ymoon a fter rites.
!]/,,*/> AM*’**
fPtCACO iSrtffcr/• -
/ o, /C t s 3
JOHN eogAR HOOVER--*-
— director
EAT: CHS
9 *
<ffet»eral bureau of Inuestisattott
dniteir§tatea department of Sfuatlce
JUaaljitt^ton, d- <&.
May 24, 1939
Time: 4:05 P,M,
MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILE
SAC Ladd of 'the Chicago Office called and advised that
one of his friends with the City News Bureau had ad¬
vised him that within the past week the Mayor has
asked for and accepted the resignation of Chief of
Police Freeman at Evanston, Illinois, who has been
there since 1927, Mr, Ladd stated he was further
informedfthat the Mayor indicated he had been in touch
with MrfrPurvis and is offering the position of
Chief of Police at Evanston to Mr, Purvis, and that
Purvis indicated by telephone that he was in the
receptive mood and was thinking of going back into
police work again,, Mr, Ladd stated it was his under¬
standing that Purvis and Freeman were at one time
very close friends.
I told Mr, Ladd I would bring th^smatter to the
attention of the Director,
JUN2 1939
iUV.vca 1939
.. j I,
XKT?03T
) ,TA H lb 1934
L,
T
sr
“l
X
rral bureau of InucattgattmT
Hmtch states Stepart meitt of Ifwattco
Chicago,. Illinois
May 25, 1939
Personal and
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Washington, D. C.
✓
Mr. ToU^n
N»th*n *»*/<
A.T»nu»«
«S !2 tfM»*
C^JTey >*«.##<««
Mr# Orowla*^*
Mr. E|«n «■.*>•** »■»»«*»(
Mr. Forworth
Mr. Gl.-vin *.»**«»**.*»#
Mr. Jlwbo «<*>«>•
Mr. Le.trr
Mr. McXdUjtc *., 0 . «***•■
Mr. KfcboU Mtuiartl
Mf,Qa3*aTwM» Vio
Vh. Tr«y..
MUi Gw4y..».»tM««
*»■*«*■*>**■*' «**•*» **"*•
Dear Sir
Confirming my telephonic conversation with Mr. E. A. TAM of the
Bureau-on May. 24, 1939, 1 desire to advise that Mr. atvr SWETT of
the City News Bureau.telephonically informed the writer on .that
day that he-had received information to the effect' that the Mayor
or Jb vans ton. Illinois t was * considering, appointing Mr. .MEI viN h.
O PURVIS Chief of Police of Evanston, Jt-JLLlnois-ana tnat.according ~
t o the Mayor he had'.been in-telephonic communication with Mr.
PURVIS on severalroccasions within, the.past ferr days and.Mr. PURVIS
Indicated i he twas in a*receptive mood ana, lurtner, wasaxieged to
have’informed the Mayor he ; was considering-going bacK into ,law
enforc ement, work 'and"had, considered work with the South Carolina _i
, State; Police. " ^ ~ " " "*■
As you will recall, WIDlI^M FREEMAN has been - dfief of :Police in
Evanston since 1927. About <a week ago* the Mayor requested and
obtained jhis resignation.- 'A meeting of the citizens’ of-’Evanston
was held ih>protest'to the resignation of Mr. ‘FREEMAN.
i > 1 f ,
In the event.any additional -information Is received with respect
to this'matter I; will pro aptly informlhe Bureau thereof.
Very,-truly yours
I
‘ 'P;ur.v'isi ‘Invited -to r
?•: - iHeadiPolice
' ?EVANSTON,JI\i;i-^aV;s25/; >
r < (By/internattoharNews Serv- ■,;>
1 ■ ^ Melvin l Pur vis., former,..
1 'acc‘G-Man .who strapped and' ’
; icllled (John.jpUlinger, .fhas >
been ottered \the ^posiUon (of' i '
, t Chief : ot;,Eyamton;police > and, 5
1 ;jnayaccepts Mayor {HenryiD. ^ ,
.'Pentieldiannounceditoday. , 1
j ' .The ; Mayor sald'he had had ; '
. ‘two (telephone ^conversation^-,'
' „yfith'Purvis.* ■
1 Purvis ;is (at''his ihome' in {
' | Charlotte; S« p Cv writing,about j
1 riMlHngerY crime i career. ,^..
iH
r
mm
Mr. To!to»*-y-*.. ...»
Mr. Math v>„.
Mr.'S. A. ?*wr>
Mr. CJrsos ............
Mr. ............
Mr. Crowl....»,
Mr. ........
Mr.F->rwort>>.......
Mr. Cl&vtt...........
Mr. Hsrbo W* ******■•'•
>:
Mr.
Mr. QcSnV Turin
Mr. Tr*cy
Mini
O. S
I
?an if m
Clipping Xrcn
NEW YORK EVENING JOIPJJAL-MERICAII
DATE
MAY 25 1939
FORWARDED ,DY KEPT YORK DIVISION'
1
•Ju*
:f on»erjy tto
?ir hffie w *l ^Sawfe
masSSM
'Pcnffei/t «V,* - v ■, /earned. I
'hone conv^h : 1 *?!* 6 tele-
iKmoirs."
f ' i -fnay6r said; I
< time corwldi*r«-/j al one j
gSiSUSSfc
jmdtag’ theyjMKrfe/v"’
‘«SKryehjW C ^ rI il^”
37?Pflr£
JA ^rJm.i
-/!;*! ■% c
*mu&OA®IER
MELVIN .PURVIS MAY
BECOME NEW CHIEF .
OF EVANSTON POLICE:
Melvin H.. Purvis, one of the chief
actori In the staying of Pandit. John
Piiiiager, may bo
the new chief of
police of Evans¬
ton, -it was Jndl-
Jated last night.
There were un¬
confirmed re-
’ports that*Mayor
Heiiry.D. Penficld
had talked 'twice
i to Purvis, who Is
at Charlotte, N.
tC.,*ahd that Pur¬
vis Is,in "a re-
i ceptiVe mood.” -
All that Mayor
tPenlteld would
say last night was
that "you have
hit it pretty
close.’’- William jMvt« it. r«rTi«.
O. Freeman, who has resigned, will
relinquish the position July.!.
Purvis Is .how writing his ”0il-
linger memoirs” in the southeastern
city. He whs reeently reported to be
considering a post Vvith the North
Carolina state police.
, O. W. Wilson of Wichita, Kas, who
on Tuesday was reported to have been
askjdLtoufaie the-job, said yesterday
that he was not a candidate. ■* - *”
Mr,
Mr. Nathan uaa*aA*/
Mr. S. A,
Mr, v
Mr. Coffey ...
Sir. Cr otvI ...»»■
Mr. Egaa « • «.*» •» ■ • •'
Mr. Forworth , uu »,
Mr. GUvta (emuiVini
Mr. H«xbo SlUSISMtl
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Sir. Quinn Taaxxa...,
Mr, Traey ............
Slier Cmly..........
>«.•»*»<«* *'• »> »
I
!
f -t _ _ _
Offer Purvis
iivansfon Job
gfSSri?«g§Stt* ASf
Su't'wVT®
loon *?<?«£? wpwtj-to talk again
SSsSysa-" h0Me fa
feSf vrahrt'n^ will succeJi
•pncd 0> FreWcaa '
«jr*. ■«
Mr, ToUcm,,,
Mr. Nathan ,,.y^ A/
Mr. E, A.T»tArV&,
■V-
■4 «("##* *. *» * I
Mr. Clears,
Mr. CeiTey *«*j**rv-*.£.»■
Mr. Crowl.,
Mr. Esan.
Mr, ?o*worth,
Mr. Clavto.....
Mr, HarSx) »*«»« ■>•••«!
ilr. Pester
Mr. Mclntlr* a
Mr. OaU'A'Tftcsxa
Mr. Tracy,
MU* Gaudy,
a a*r aj>*a»*
it
CHIEF_FREEMAN
POLICE DEPARTMENT,EVANSTON, ILL.
Pittsburgh, Pa.,
May 25, 1039.
City of Evanston, Illinois have invited
wrote Furbershaw asking what had become of
i
o£ absence for a number of
years. Freeman retired from '•'hie ago police Department on
pension of about $135.00 per month recently on the
assumption that he was set for good In Evanston. New
Mayor Penfield never re-appointed him, but let him hold
over. Freeman resigned and City Counoil aocepted his
resignation. No explanations have conefron either
Freeman of 'the Mayor.
i
Friend of nine,, close toMayor says he understands
Mayor is waiting for some yelp from Freeman or his friends
in which event Mayor will give reasons for failure to .re¬
appoint and resignation. Doesn't intend to embarrass
Freeman unless it'becomes necessary. I don't know any
details,but this is the way it was explained to me.
Suggestion of Purvis' name has not as yet been cause
of any enthusiasm. Many doubt he will get job. He would
no doubt make a good chief if given full authority.
1 thought Purvis 1 was practicing law ; in California."
0
•Press dispatches showwhere the
M. H. Purvis to become Chief of police, f
Chief Freeman. His answer followss
"After being on leave
NOTEs Back in 1930 I had considerable dealings with Freeman. He said at
it 'V
that time the reason he had such *a soft berth w a s that Then he first went in as c hief
of Evanston he "got something" on all the big fellows, especially those in control of
the city so they could not fire him. ^if
orm hfȣ no doubt turned.
a&g no aou
t mm si mTlrfZ
A n 1931 nhen Jake Lingle, °hicago Tribme^rfeporter was Tawdered£ln^he sub¬
way at Miaxroe Street entrance. The investigation peffeib^e'd checks, made ,7 0|it by^ racketeers
to Freeman were cashed by Freeman, but nothing caile of It. 1939
't
II-
A
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
- '• dir
1939.
.The Director
.Mr. Nathan )
.Mr. Tolson
.Mr. Clegg
.Mr. E. A. Tamm
„Mr. Glavin
_Mr. Nichols
Mr. Crowl
.Mr. Balch
.Mr. Bellino
.Mr. Brennan
.Mr. Carson
.Mr. Chambers
_Mr. Cornelius
.Miss Gandy
^Mr. West
.Mrs. Morton
.Miss Coe
.Mr. Albaugh.
.Mr. Halter
.Miss Conlon
.Mr. Gauthier
.Typists 5724
.Stenographers 5236
See Me
Mr, Coffey_ 1
Mr, Crowl _ - -.. MQ
Mr. JPsan. .Ch
Mr. Fftr^r ertS ... Cr
Mr, OUvt a .Mr
Mr. n’Tbo
SUPERVISOR^
Les Section
-sonnel Files
intification.Division
hnical Laboratory
hanical Section
ef Clerk's Office
me 1 Statistics
-Tracy
Mr ^Drayton". 1
"lir f’Guerin'" ‘
Mr Hayden”'
Mr. Hogan
MhllKimbali--
.Mr. Kramer
# * *
_Mr. Lawler
_Mr. Mclntire
_Mr. Pennington
.JMr. -Richmond
..Mr. Van Pelt
„Mr. Wyly
_Mr. -Zimmer
..Bring file up to date
_Send File
JCorrect
_Call me regarding this
^N6te and return
..Search, serialize and'*
route
..Stenographers 5724
..Stenographers 5730
...Stenographers 5706
G-M AIMS EDITOR
Melvin'j^urvis, former
_ ___NoT"T G-Man, who
brought down John Dillinger and other notorious
criminals, has settled down imFlorence, S. C., as pub¬
lisher, of an evening newspaper. He’s shown here
hard at work at his desk. (Photo by 'John E. Hales.)
Mr* Gtavln *—
Mr. Croirl....»..«“
Mr. fturbo
Mr. Iratrr
Sir. tajrk
Mr.
Mr. Roasts ...
Mr. Sc-w <
jtf, Qulan 'S**ii*A*~ m
^tr, Tracy
Ill** Gandy
.
1,1(71? BEGOBDE).'
QO.S,
__ 7^/ 4 - 3 _„_
’Submitted by Charlotte Office,.'
,0
> 1
f, *■ «‘%'J
it A, 'i'
Mr, C.:/.Tj7 ... <(
; ‘.tf. .!
Mr, GUrf-i »M» 4 < * +**‘ j
' G-MAN-— Melvin Purvis, re- V! f ' Cta-Ti,.,... ■
tired oee G• mon, rdTf,i$hown ir** r * ' ir "° ,
with his new. partner, J. A. r ' *'.*
^eigler, in the venture of
J publishing the "Evening
/V Star" ini Florence, S .c. ^
W Me VWM photo :U ' S !W "*“*'r **
/!/« "Q 1 -VLl- H - - *t
it*, Trsw-..-
- .*■".& Vi
l - _ 4V
>|*-i
He*' ' < V,
t' f " ,1, ‘ ‘t f li ,A'"
.'ilt 'i 'MSM'l ‘ * * U>». « ' ’'STYE’S
—V " f,' : , 5 >• ♦)
t A/«
he*, Trst
.W.nl C utdjrVw,...
, > .,JS
_xwocJ
CMn IS iS 84
LOS ANGELES TIMES
JUL IB 1939
I
)
'I
TIB NStf ORLEANS I TBS,
NSW ORLEANS, LA.,
July 7, .1939. !
\
/ MELVIN/ 'PURVI S^.- former f
, G^manTwho~wa?The ■ n em esis .
iof 'John'Dillinger, .announced'. '
; today. ; he iwould 1 begin fcpubli- ’
- cation. of i an/ afternoon daily
newspaper-; In Florence,' South •
;Carolina,’about^August l./He■;
'said J. /A, 1 Ziegler,‘former : as--;
; socla te i editor/ of. the j Florence <<
/Morning j News, .'would ibeed- ;■
ltor.* of ; th e ;■ newsncwSptfpCfr" v
J 'rtfs -i r ; : i -ti - 'i 1 i mmmmmmmmmmmmmim
y»
ft
Mr. Tol»-i
Mr, I*C~
Mr. J5. JkrJUtyjiy
Mr. CIe;'3
Mr. CoSfuy
Mr.
fir. Glnvlfl
iS
HI
■ **«■«>* »»»**»«
*Tf**#< *»*»■
1
Mr, Crawl..,
Mr. Harbo ....
Mr. fco*trr
Jlr. La^vUr
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.1
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
t I
^federal bureau of Inuratigation
United §fnfrs department of STustter
HJaaljington, d. <£.
TOG/bw July 24 , 1939
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. TOLSON
r Re: MELVIN
Qim
is —
Fomer Special -Agent
•in Charge.
Mi. T&l-on
Mr. N*tk*s -.—
Mr. E. A. Twain.....
Mr.
Mr. Coffer -.
Mr. .............
Mr. Glevla
Mr. Cr«wl,......»..
Mr. K«rbo ...........
^(ti r«wr****m
Mr- *>»••*■•*»
Mr. Ro*<?a •m«n • i« «■*
Mr. S—1- --*»«* *■.
Mr. Quinn Twain.
Mr. Tracy...
MIm Gandy ...
Hr. Reed of Dun 1 and Bradstr.eet telephonically coa-
nunicated with ay office Saturday, July 22 , 1939 requesting in¬
formation concerning the activities of "the above individual since
he left -the .Bureau. I endeavored to'get intouch with Mr. Reed
on two occasions but was unsuccessful, and inasmuch as he has not
called back, no ^further effort is being nade byao to contact him.
• Respectfully,
'I||0>|n EDGAR HOOVER
W-*'
I I DIRECTOR
r
LBN:CA
• t
iifetieral SSureau of diueatfgation
United §tatea department of Jfnattce
lHaaljittstoit, d. €.
*7uly 31j 1939
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. TOLSON
During the recent SAC Conference j I talked to
SAC Scheidt of Charlotte regarding the Florence 3 South
Carolina fyening Starj a new newspaper to be published
by Me Ivin 1 'Fur vis, Mr, Scheidt stated* that he was fully
cognisant of this and would govern his actions accordingly,
; f
Me then went on to relate that with reference
to the recent agitation in South Carolina for a State Police
force j he had been informed by Officers down 'there that
the State Police force was defeated largely because of ~the
fact that 'the Law JSnf or cement Officers of the Carolines
thought if Purvis was too big for the FBI, he certainly
would be too big for -them; they were) not opposed so much
~to the idea of the State Police as they were to the fact
that -Furvis probably would head it, } l
Respectfullyj
L
Mr*. «J. £. Hoover:
It's Publisher Purvis
IjO^ ■ 'i
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-ftV- ii- l’"* i «K\**S.V.v .« , * TO»'r*C' 1 '
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Mr. ?pi*,on / „„.
^r. N*thtr>
f Mr. E. :A.'Vamin..™
Mr. 0*g K .,,„««.]
Mr. Co fey .,«__j
Mr. E-ram ,...„
Mr. CSavin
Mr. Crow<
Mr. Star „.y
Mr. Le»t?j ... , /
Mr. U«lei j ~y
Mr. miSpi.C
Mr. Eomo „ ........
Mr.
Mr. Quinn Tamm__
Mr. Tracy *•....,..^,1
j Ml»» Gaiuly....._
MELVIN PURVIS
Melvin Purvis, former G-man and
credited largely with the roundup of
John Dilinger, notorious Indiana des¬
perado, who was kiled In a gun bat¬
tle when caught, now is a publisher,
Purvis has assumed his new duties
as publisher of the Florence, a C.,
Evening Star, a new newspaper.
&r
&
E 'W R.
-JM 19
• •
ifrfceral bureau of fctursftgnftoti
Unite!) States department of ifnstice
Charlotte, North Carolina
August 2, 1939
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
1
v *
4
During a conversation which I had with Assistant
Director E. A. TAMM while I was at the recent conference
for Special Agents in Charge, I mentioned torjiim that an
individual who is associated with MELVIN PURVIS in the
latter*s recent newspaper venture is identical with the
person who previously furnished information regarding alleged
irregularities on the part of United States Attorney CLAUD
NAPOLEON SAPP and United States Marshal WILLIAM "Fr-BURGUSCN*-
both of the Eastern District of South Carolina.j/^ , i
writer cn ^
gation be made concerning the allegations relative to UAt!t(edl5 199
States Attorney SAPP and United States Marshal l BURGUS0N; and
advised at that time that JOHN ZEIGLER, of the - Flo'r&c&iMo ffping Cf M
News, Florence, South Carolina, was supposed tcj be in possession"]^
of information regarding these allegations.
■> - 5 ^-^
Investigation was subsequently made in these cases
under the respective captions of "CLAUD/NAPOLEON SAPP; IRREGU¬
LARITIES BY U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF SOUIH
CAROLINA", Charlotte File 62-768, and "WILLIAM F. BORGUSON;
MISCELLANEOUS - IRREGULARITIES OF UNITED STALES MARSHAL,
EASTERN DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA? Charlotte File 62-769.
After the initial report of Special Agent J. W. CANNON,
Charlotte, North Carolina, dated April 12, 1939, had been
submitted in the BURGUSON case, the Bureau advised in letter
dated June 3, 1939, Bureau File 62-53502, that no further in¬
vestigation was desired, Inasmuch as inquiries in this matter
would be made by a Department Examiner. The SAPP case is still
being carried as pending by the Charlotte Division, awaiting
Bureau instructions, investigation having been suspended with
the report of Special Agent J. W. CANNON, Charlotte, North
Carolina, dated April 12, 1939.
&
It will be noted that MR. JOHN ZEIGLER was interviewed,
and furnished information in both of the above mentioned Caspar^
Re: MELVIN PURVIS
_ i
ii
Director -2- 8-2-39
MR. TAMM stated in my conversation with, him that it
was quite possible that ZEIGLER's charges might have had some
connection with the efforts which PURVIS made to secure appoint¬
ment as a Federal Judge, snd suggested that these facts be brought
to your attention, in order that you might be fully advised re¬
garding the connection between ZIEGLER and'PURVIS.
For your further information, there is enclosed a
clipping from'the Charlotte, North Carolina, Observer of July 30,
1939, bearing<a Timmonsville, South Carolina, date-line, which
announces that PURVIS* newspaper, to be known as the "Florence
Evening Star",. will get out its first issue on August,3, 1939,
and sets forth the names of the persons on the staff of this
paper. It will be noted that MELVIN PURVIS is listed as the
publisher, and JOHN A. ZZIGLER as the .editor.
With further reference ;to MELVIN PURVIS, I thought
I would.advise you that he called at the Charlotte Office on
the day he was married at Charlotte; and, also, on a rece&t
occasion, he telephoned the Charlotte Office regarding a case
in*which he was interested. I was out of the city on both of
these occasions. There was no particularly apparent reason
for his visit, and his telephone call concerned a $1,000.00
bond which was purported to be stolen about eight years ago,
and has since turned up in another State. He inquired as to
whether investigation could be made regarding this bond, and
was informed in the negative. It struck me that from his former
Bureau experience, he should have-known this without’calling.
S3:ADC
‘ 67-303
Enel. __
' PERSONAL AND
Special Agent in Charge
RURyiSfREVEALS i
J STAFF OFfPAPEF
Jf , ' ■■ . « »' «. t . M 1 ,f | .
formcrAco C-Mah: Announces
First'Issue of "Florence-Paper
i KtO‘!BoYAu£'ustv3.
1 ■ .‘"jfu • 1 ; •
' , ;
1 ■ timmonsville.'s; c.;'juiy;2?.-
Melvin fpurvis, -former'ace .G-man,
today vannounced .'the; staff; of .'.The
Florence-Evening ,‘Star, which The
will publish* daily .JnTFlorehce, 'The
inaugural.issue is scheduled for„Au-
gust 3,, .. „• . U
. The.'staff: Melvin Purvis, publish-!
,'er;,- John A. i Zeigler, r editor;; R. C.J
.Hester; 'advertising iManager; ,'Mrs.|
•Kate Brb\,vn. Mp.t. A Vm>
Zclgler, ’/ circulation manager; iMiss
Frances : Lewis,, new* ' department;
Miss 'Louise 1 Outlaw,; want Tad * de¬
partment; -Fred ■ Shcram, '’advertis¬
ing solicitor; Ashby Matthews, com¬
positor; Thomas’ Cottingham, stereo-
typer-pressman;. :F.' ‘W, f i'Oitmah,
Bohlinger ’ Sharpe, (Harvey -Lank¬
ford, ...Leonard ■ Boyd, ilinotype op¬
erators; and -La wson 'James, 'Janitor.
' ’ The *, newspaper' is fhoused • in ' ; a
modern buildingron'*Dargan street,
s^ith latest ^modern equipment. Thi? 11
v 'the -first "venture* of»the - former a
5 federal . officer into>the; publishing|
-....._
Submitted by Chariotta Office.
i
5
-Q. \Vh*t'b»s become oTMelvln Pwrvk
th(t ‘former G-ttvan?—B. D ' , »J e 1
1 jvir . Purvis is now publisher o f ,
Florence (S. C.) 'Evening Star. .3
KC/T K£CrtUDT5D
,__ .rano^
•IAN 19 1934
n <s u
4 ,U40 Itf l339
r*T i ' O' r*uan i 71
it -i.i, • i . j
h
'1
"John eogar hoover
* DIRECTOR
The following article relative : to Kelvin Purvis is tauten
from "Editor and Publisher" f ,v October .14, 1939 page 26.
"Melvin Purvis, former "G" ; toi, v r-- publisher
of a new daily, W~ Florence’.(S. C.) Star, is
re^orWu to be raider rapid 'strides in his
newly caosen field. In 't*vo suites tine, We Star
uns built fro... scratch .a circuiat? on of more
taun 3,5 -1. -Anong We circulation, promotions
used, by way .of introducing We jaww daily, is
'taut of sending coapiiaentar., Copies of We
pa^er to patients in We local ..os^itals. A
t ticuer attached to the pu^er states: ''"e
sincerely hope Wa L . you are well on the road to
.recovery and will soon be completely cured.
Te are sending you this ’Star' in the earnest
desire to brighten We day 'for you.' ”
—^*ueral (Bureau of Inuratfga^___
Unttcfc states S9cpartment.of Jfuatirr
lHaafjittgtim, D. <E.
October i6, 1939
Respectfully, —
a. R. !, clntire
91984
JOHN J-‘DGAR HOOVER
Jt >\RECTOR
CT:ACS
160 ^
*al (Bureau of inuestigatu \
~- \\ f ‘ ^
Umteti states department of ^notice ^ | v , s
^ , . . _ ^ \Vir. «♦»»♦» _
HJaaljington, d. <E- r
r O//'^ ’"•* uv “-
L / Mr.cr^.,--
HJaaljington, d. <C.
Date 11-22-39
gar' 5,
OOj' u ’- *'
memorandum for the director
Mr. 9 vIm» Tamm ^
Mr, TrKy t
Miss Sheaffer advised me that while shopping
recently in the toy department of Woodward & Lothrop
the saleswoman recommended to her for a young boy the
0
game called "G-Man 11, by MELVIN PURVIS * The game costs
$1*50 and Melvin Purvis * photograph appears in an oval
on the lid of the box containing the game* The follow¬
ing also appears on the box: "Former ACE of the Depart¬
ment of Justice." Miss Sheaffer asked her if Purvis had
invented the game / she stated \ie had and that he received
a royalty on every one sold » It wastnteresting to note
that she recommended "G-Man" first and "Boake Carter's"
newspaper repotting game second •
Respectfully
Clyde Tolson
f
J'U't H
! 'i
■ i
a* »
* 4 *
A
Deccnber G, 1939
O
Mr • Melvin U. ''Purvis
Publisher
The Florence Muentng Star
Florence $ South Carolina
Dear Melvint
Many thanks /or your letter of December 4th,
and t shall oertainly look forward with pleasure to
reading the copies of "The Florence Evening Star"
which you are going to send to me*
I had seen sone reference in the paper to the
fact that you had started publishing a paper, and Jf
an glad to know that you enjoy it and are finding it
interesting • That is really what nakes life worth¬
while - when one can do the things that he likes
beet and which are interesting and not boring •
Should you be in this part of the country
I hops that you will give »# a ring.
tfith best regards and good wishes, I an
Sincerely,
*!, M&ue Boovor
'Hr. mmm '*
me. f. A. tom* r
Mr. Ladd _
Mr, ♦**»•»
■ Mr. t|M
Mr,
Hr, Or**I
00M ^UNICMIOHS & ^^
•*4 a 1 * f ^
4r DFC 9 193* *r
\\\ ' i
Rr , f T|
ij,U Pfc«IWT^-JVV|i«
*•*<#+**•
j?—r^roT
liAn jkU
MELVIN,PURVI8
»^S»U*HEB
r
3£l}r Jttnmttr Sunning ^tar
3ttor^n«, ^mttlj Carolina
December 4, 1939
PBRSONiL
Mr* John Edgar Hoover, Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Dept, of Justice
Washington, D. C.
Dear Edgar:
I have thought of writing to you many times since I
began publishing the Florence Evening star down here but have
been out of town a great deal and I have been extremely busy
while I was here publishing this paper. It Is a most inter¬
esting and fascinating Job and I am very much pleased with it.
I am talcing the liberty of sending you the paper for a few
weeks Just to show you what it looks like and also in case you
are not getting all the news up that way.
With all good wishes, and hoping that I can see you soon.
T •
I4P/hat
Sincerely,
^\j»SU>Uv^
Melvin^u
rvis
, t
r\<
I „,rnl. (d -i • ■ J >< ‘ ^
1 j,r i t, tfd
! ’ r J'! 1 i5 t * i ^
■at'. iV3>
December 14, 2939
Ur > He Ivin Ur Purvis
Publisher
The Florence Evening Star
Florence, South Carolina
Dear Ueloint
1 Have juet received your
telegram advising of the arrival of
Kelvin Horace, Jr*, end 1 hasten to
extend to you ny hearty congratula¬
tions * I trust that J/r«. Purvis and
the young fellow will continue to
get along nicely •
Uay 1 extend to the new
heir ny best wishes for a life filled
with an abundance of happiness and
prosperity ,
Sincerely,
J, Edge* Hoover
*U«4o* t
tmmm
ToS^ aNSSEC ' noN]
,« i ' £ O .
I N. •I-'’ -v
^ DEC 1 4 1939
K,kifcl t.
■if i s» mm <,
3.33W:Y,. u,u
Mr k A.Ta-
Mr, Cigj ..
Mr, Ladd
Mr, Cu”f.v
Mr, Kgan
Mr, ULivin .
Mr, Hnrbo .
Mr, Lcstrr .,
Mr, Ilf-.d.m
Mr, McLittre
Mr, T»:i !,<>'*
Mr, Rore.i
Mr, i Trrrtoj,,,,
Tour Booa
Mr, Trary ,
Mil, Ocadjr ..
/•*
WH14 14
FLORENCE SOCAR DEC 14 1150A 1939
J EDGAR HOOVER, PERSONAL
DIR FiJD BU OF INV DEPT OF JUSTICE
MELVIN HORACE PURVIS JUNIOR BORN THIS MORNING AT
8:45 ROSANNE AND BABY DOING WONDERFULLY
8:45
5 ?
.MJELVJUN,
<5
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y i?
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X2R0X
JAN 19 1984
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* «'f:i
rral Shtrrau of $tiu?af
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
Mr. |
Mr. i**th*a -■»« •«•**•
Mr. B. A-Ttast .
1
Vi> 1 j»(M__
Unftrh §tatrs ^Department of Ifusttcr
ttfasljinston, iD. <E.
HN:CSH
Deceaber 20, 1939
i
Mr. Mrfatlre ........
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
Mr. QuSaa T«sa.~.
4
1
6
RE: VISIT OF MR. MELVIN PURVIS
Mr. Melvin Purvis called at ay office this
aorning. He had previously telephoned froa his hotel.
He was'accoapanied by, I think, a Mr. Scarborough.
He said he had just come into town, was leaving this
afternoon, and just wanted to see ae. The conversation
consisted solely in huaorous references on the part of
both parties to the fact that he is now a newspaper
publisher and to various -incidents connected with the
Chicago Field Division when he was there. It was
facetious in its entirety.
Very truly yours.
Unless otherwise advised
copies will tot be brought
to the Director 's attention
unless sone article of
interest to the Bureau
appears therein .
st
•M
00'S
j2__
wetvnr'pu mrrsr^vrsiTS—’
CAPITAL ON BUSINESS
WASHINGTON, March MeU
din Purvis publisher oi the Florenci
Evening News, Florence, S, C., ant}
firmer head G-man, left for his
feme today after a business Stay
here. He conferr<)d with Repre¬
sentative John ti. McMillan of the
Sixth South Carolnja district,
(,) /lO’l* i '- 1,1
*.4 >T 11
1 i
1
j
1
Subaittad by CIiwTotto 0*r*ts9.
X
EDITOR & PUBLISHER
January 13j 1940
a-i *
Mf.'M** '** 5
Mr, >?»»*•* I > >■■!•'■ I
Mr, S. Aj -■! •'
Mr. O-w . * »
Mr. t.A'-'J.•••»••■•••>* 1
Mr, Co m tf 11 * *;
... .
Mr, C.lAv'n.....
Mr, IMrb-.i
Mr, le*U*
Mr, Ilrmlsa !<•«* »• »*
Mr* McTatfr* #*•***’**
Mr. Jftcfcal*•«**•••**•
Mr* Ho***
Mr.
toor Ro^W *..**••••• !
>tr. Tra6/ ,.**j..*y*^
mu. GtnaJrA'CQy'
SMelvin Purvis, editor, Florence
ts. C.) Evening Star, and Mrs. Pums,
ffe the parents of a daughter, bom
recently. — —~
OUT Cf ‘->> r U
^qA’ VJV.OU^-^
1 ■*, >i "* f-'
a.
. * 7/17/40
Dear Sir: , 1
,i * f *
I would^llke,, if you would be so
kind, any^avaiiable information concern¬
ing Mr. MjL/Pervis, amair of' your depart-..
ment, dealing wi’th the~Dillanger and Nel¬
son cases: If it is possible,'I would
greatly appreciate it, to have a short
story of Mr. Pervis*s life as a G. Mean .
2 A
*
I thank you ever so much.
~Jame's Molgano
85 Hawthorne St.
Stamford, Conn.
*>£ ft
[thissiqe Of CAR
1940
ft
V.'
Mr. EdgarOHoover,
Federal Bureao Of Invest.
Washington,
D. C.
‘CAB: JMU
67-74Q9-537
August 20, 2040
Mr, Janes Holgano
BO Hawthorne Street
Stanford, Connecticut
u\Oj l\
dear Mr, Uolgano: 1
In the absence of Ur, Hoover from
the city, I wish to acknowledge your communi¬
cation of JUly 1?, 2040, the contents of
which wi22 be called to the director's
attention upon hie return to Washington,
Sincerely yours.
Helen ¥, Gariky
Secretary
«
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SEP 2 t) 1940
f> <i I Mf",T0H TIMES-HESAL3
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
# •
IflotJeral Bureau of Ifnuestigation
llnitot* ^tatra Stepartmont of Justice
Washington, 33. <t.
November 19, 1940
EATzTEB
Time 4:55 P. If.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
'.U V 5 irt
During telephonic conversation with
Mr, Vanech in the Department he advised
-that Senator Smith of South Carolina has
endorsed Melvirf^urvis for a judgeship,
He stated he 1 thought t;his information would
be of interest to the Bureau •
E, A, TAMM
* a
_i
~ecember 1,
- -t,
Department of Justice,
‘'fos&irgton, 1>. C.
<S*-
•n>
Gentler .en:~, tr c
OUT OF SERVICE
? *j jt --. s \ y ° U ^ lease ^ e n ‘ e ^ e present address of Hr.
'Purvis the mar* who caught John Dillinger.
Sincerely yours,
1310 IT. rain Street
Brookfield, lo*
RCUtASX
<57-7409-540
December 14, JL940
Miss Mabel £* Sturtevant
1310 North Min Street
Brookfield, Missouri
Pear Mies .Sturtevantt
I have received your letter of
December 1, 1940, and while I do not have the
present address of Mr* Melvin Jh°Purvto
I thought you might like to know that the
late Inspector Samuel P* Cowley of this Bureau
was in charge of the Special Agents who
apprehended John Pillinger «
The stamped envelops Sehioh you
forwarded is being returned »
' Sincerely yours.
John Edgar Hoover
Pirsotor
Bnclosurs
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
^:'M A I LED
-A DEC 14 UMO A
P, M,
FWESAl tfL'RUU 0> UYESliCAlfdN
U,.S. filfAillYt'Nl OF Ji:snCf
\
y
CUT OF SERVICE
^ _ _ -0 ,
(bar SUSPENDS MELVIN PURVIS
.Melvin H, Purvis, former ifBI
Agent, has been suspended from she
Cavafomia $t*te bar for failureUo
pad dues, It! was announced today
by the Statasupreme Court. Mr.
PurJtls, nowvtiorence, S. C., pub¬
lisher, noting the bar some weeks
ago he wishes to go on the inactive
[list. "* _
f
I
it
1 r
i
i r
SAiJ^plSJclSC® NhW
VNV*
FORIARBED BY
_5AN FRANCISCO SIVISIO.
■f
I
$EC 191940
EAT:GEG
Time: 9:25 A*U•
• %
SteZteral bureau,of Inuwttgaiion
Unitcti §tatca Department of ifuattce
$0aal?ington, D. 01.
July 26, 1941
MEMORANDUM FOR TEE DIRECTOR
T»w *w»
J(r. Vanech in Ur* McGuire's office called and stated
that Congressman JohnpL* McMillan of South Carolina is again
:pushing Melvin Purvis^for <a Federal judgeshipthe Congressman
having written a letter to the .Department in this regard* Mr*
Vanech stated he believed Ed Hodges in the Anti-Trust Division of
the Department has a good chance of getting this appointment
inasmuch as he is a good personal friend of Senator Smith of South
Carolina and also has Senator Byrnes behind him*
\
April 21, 1041
iKelvin
Taker
Purvie
ti §|
The Florence Evening star
Florence, South Carolina
Pear Kelvint
7ith reference to your telegram, of
Aprtl 10th concerning Alfredo de la Toga, I
wanted to advtee you that Ur * de la Vega
called at the Bureau on April AS, 1941 « Me
woe interviewed by a Bureau official and fur-
nieked with an application blank in order that
hie deetre to eeoure appointment to a position
tn the Bureau might receive appropriate con¬
sideration*
nth beet wishes and hind regards.
Sincerely yours,
Mr,
Mr. Ctogf ,
, Mr. fMWMik
Mr. Ilnlt
Mr. U44 -
Mr. Wuhan
Mr. Woaoa
Mr# Carson .
Mr. Ouiim Tamm
Mr. H«nOan
Mr. Traay _
Mitt Im«_
9
lARBOlJ
dOPY
, A
$1
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COMMUHSAItlHS SECTtOH
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WESTERN UNION
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TO 35 67 : M.
FLORENCE SO CAR APR 10.424P
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER, PERSONAL
DIRECTOR, FBI,. US DEPT, OF JUSTICE, WA&flNGTON, DC*
WALTER CHRYSLER JUNIOR WIRES ME ?HAT >L CIA>SE FRIEND OF HIS NAKED ALFREDO
DE LA VEGA NOW STATING AT MAYFLOWERyHOTEL -WANTS TO SEE YOU. HE-WILL TELEPHONE
YOUR OFFICE TOMORROW FORENOON FOR
YOU WOULD BE KIND ENOUGH TO SEE DE|.
jfppOlNTMENT. WALTER ASKED ME TO WIRE YOU IF
LA VEGA. WALTER WILL CONSIDER IT GREAT
FAVOR IF YOU WILL. ALL GOOD WISHERS TO YOU.
t w
MELVIN PURVIS.:
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
Hf. T*lw* ___
Mr. I, A. Tamm
AMBsESK
2:30 P.M.
.3te&eral bureau of $msestt£aitait
Uttifeti §tatra department of ifuatice
HJaeljington, d. <£.
September 5, 1941
Mr. roxwwtft
Mr. Quin* Tamm
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. F0XW0RTE
f
1 9
Ax
Major Beckett .of MID, Extension 2414, War Department, MlMC . M!y
called an A. st at edy that MID was considering former Special Agent _'
in Charge MelviirPurvis for a position ip.tke Military Intelli¬
gence Division* He indicatli that possibly Mr* Parvis might he
designated to be in charge pf;one- of the MID field .offices and
Major Beckett inquired as to whether the ^Bureau’s files con¬
tained any derogatory ^information concerning Purvis. He wanted
to know if the Bureau would be willing to give him a recommendation.
I told Major Beckett I would have to check the files
■ and would call him back tomorrow on this case.
Respectfully, £
j.Ai M.\Thurston
AX ^ ^
fcrtab t-i uaA
krt-i) IA\ ^
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Serialised j
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indexed, ...
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u,$. QEMSUttr cr^si.i
Mr>
Mr.
Ifcttcral SUmmit of Inucsttgation
lltttfcii §tatr3 department of i/ttstice
IJJaalirngton, d. (L.
WRGslrd January 7, 1942
MEMORANDUM
l* 1 '- .....
4 >~
Mr. Nlcko!.,
Mr. 7 r«r v.
Mr. Ko»rn ... .......
Mr. Cer.00
Mr. CoTey ... ,
* *«r.
Mr. lle»<Joa..„...,„
Mr. K>JIob»»o.,„ „„
Mr. Q«iaaTM(uea.„.
Mr. Ne^se.............
1Ji ** G «ujy.,„..
By reference froa your office I spoke to-a
Mr. Deibler of the Federal Coaaunications^poaaission
concerning forner Special Agent Melvfrv'H. Purvis.
Mr. Deibler wanted to know whether Mr.
Purvis was a aan who had.been disaissed froa the
service'due to selling information. X advised hia
that he was not, that he had been with the Bureau for
several years and .for several years had been Special
Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office and had resigned
several years ago.
OF SERVICE
Miss Gandy
As a natter of information to the Bureau, there
appeared under the column "U . S, and Us' 1 ,in the March 2,
1942, issue of the Washington Times-Herald, a comment to
the effect that former Special Agent Melvin Purvis of the
FBI is presently in training as an officer in the Provost
Marshal General's School, Arlington Cantonment, Arlington,
Virginia . ,
You will recall that on 7/ednesdays and Thursdays
of alternate weeks the training classesin the Provost
Marshal General's School are taken on a special tour of this
Bureau by Supervisors in the Crime Records Section, It is
very likely that on the morning of March 11 or March 12,
Purvis will be in the group which tours the Bureau . If he is
hot in^one-vof those groups, the next possibility of his being
here would be on March 25 or March 26•
^Respectfully,
McGuire
67- 7^
Routed, xn, ’Rp corded
Se3rcbo.\^>^, ,-^ed,
.Number hu- * /
JIT-**'
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In-. C 1 ..
M.,nv
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5
0 | ‘RAW—The man who 'am-
■pushed John Dillinger, one of'
the nation's most 1 notorious]
{gunmen, is now Capt. Melvin
-Purvis of the provost marshal
-general’s office in the capital,
i The former .G-man, who got
' sa raw deal from headquarters
I ’ because of the :fame he i gained
I iin -ending the 'Indiana boy’s
'(criminal career, how passes on
fell applications, for enrollment'
.In the Army’s' policing e$tab-|
/lishment. (
•m** 1 «*«»Jt***««
4
?’r, * 1
ftr.'Ti ,, .
n-t.r^ -a....
. U. V
-1 I - ItWlM
M r. Cjft L * a '{aim*** ,
JS *sr. s#****.* *«,»•««
Ox»'.4yMM-taast*
OftW
‘i 2>
'H
tps
K
USSa'OIftO
/ Mr.
)/ M|-rE. A. ,T*mm£l
/ . ✓ Mr'. Clegg_„_,
iMivuladd_^_'/.,>/
f -MANCY IHARTONG, -pretty 5
( ■*■ '’brunette -daughter of iMM.'
■Smith,‘Hartung/-,now of jNew,
. >York- but-formerly.- .of ‘.Washing-'
rf ■ ton,, was mar-
tTOraraB&t !t0 iweu-r
'.tenant' “Bud"
iWi : ^0^SMh -.'•'Thomp son.
West -.Point'
iyl-•'graduate, ,ta>
li -the Chapel at*
Wi'id&Wi&b r 0 r t 'M y e £
last ?Monday.
- Nancy, who,
- has been most
■>, successful as
* £»odel,.,fe
I , ’ relinquishing
I r a ” wy sue-.
tfiSyi-aaSSKcls^l / eessful'.career,
-Vtt» ..carter . * Jo' become a
v 'J . lady.’.of do-
f m stlclty only, .The groom 1 ' had
! 'to return promptly to'his’post,
[ W Jackson; Miss./and his bride
f; returned’j-eoually promptly ,to
-New ‘.York Ito igather 5 -together
■ her trousseau before Joining her- -
‘husband-in the 'South. 'Calvert ■
K Bowie. - godfather ■ pf v the' bride,
I :?ave f her fa way. andiMrs. Har-
i ,tung;had somehow. managed Jn
’* very ..limited’, time,-,to; gather
together all.of her own friends
(as -well ■ as-Nancy's; (In Wash-'
! ington), for'the : wedding,
‘Bill * and : Patsy ‘Bride * are in ‘
the throes of interior decorating
sand getting settled lm their new; !
/house-on:Legation Street. This .
i house - is not much; bigger than •
a 4 bandbox, < but, perfect j In de-/ 1
'< tail, and Patsy, is enthralled with
.'it./, i .
.-'j
lifa.
■M aS! PURVIS, "fo rmer,hi,
,'iTA~ma n;"E/now e In .W asffing-^
*p]^p.03Sl3p_ha5_the. ■
rank of major, Melvin; happily ■
‘Omtx- JaL-as .everyon e ‘knows.,
^fe^cESSOM^rejrgn^*/,j 1
*b.uChe-possesses«ihaF rerta 1 n;-•
t rin g « of; author! ty-in
i wHIclris never.mlsEa
'Peggy Gibblns, lovely daugh--
:ter of the.late'Gen. Henry Gib-'
1 j^uywHI'be,married on,April
i g. *® '■ Noel Bride, son - of; Mrs. ’
•W Item Bride'$r. The wedding,
\ will be. at' St. Matthew’s Cathe-:
! ural; at 1 five' In i the afternoon.
* I: and a. very small'reception, lim- •
, |, ited . to . the ( bridal,, party , and ,*
, ttwo families, will follow Jmmedi- 1
lately. Noel at the moment is at.
l; Camp Lee in the officers'.’train-'
i ,ing school and will be graduated'
' p with - the i rank, of' first s lieu ten-,
' 1 anf , the -very , morningof ,his 1
'marriage. At the -present. 'the:
. '““M* 'worrying everyone- ‘,-isi
1 ,whether .Noel, willVbe sable*'to;
i make It-to Washington, exactly.’
on; time-for ,hls - .wedding, sa*
‘his 1 graduation exercises ■ - ar /
> somfcwhere around noon. “But; ’ I
says] one s of > the famlly.s.rther i'f|
„ J& K?yy »j Planes.’? , J f
1 'i This: town has' lost • two ■ of" its :
■ ;'very;nlce young. men—JToe Hay- ; .
, den and Tommy Campbell—who" J
, .Jhave departed for various'Army,
camps and schools. 'Just before
' Tommy-t Campbell’left, he was
' given. a ^farewell 1 partyby ‘ his >
, <legal■ friends (Tommy.is a*law-*
: (y er) -and cthe invitation's were;
’ the * most-, original T, have 'seen
’ in some time.. T. Edward O’Con- !
;nell was’the .moving spirit and
‘hadfthese/invltatlons ,done' in ’ c~-
l the form;Of.,a. subpoena/from v
ithe District Court of the United-
JStates' here. .The .whole thing - \
, -was ,done In -such ,a ;realistic /
i manner. - with;- the .legal, forms;. v -
;etc M ’> that ; mostof ? the : guests
- who received 1 them were scareS
skinny . until "they-..read/then,
■•carefully -through.. '■/ - ’I;
T HE Seen X and«Heard • Sonii*
where Department: ./“What-
■.ever'she• wants;to marry^himi
i for, ;i' can’t) see, 'he.is. exactly
,like a settin g hen” •
s' : Mrs/.Walter-Watson, the ixre-•
;pres$lble'-Nancy, is feeling ‘.very'
‘put upon./Recently.'shezand
• Walter celebrated their.' wed-
'lding :anniversary. .'One .male
came'up the front‘ walk/laden” j
down.- '.with red.,. roses., and < T a
jeorsage.. “How '-nlce,” ’greeted
’Nancy, “but you shouldn’t have,
brought^me both,roses and/a
corsage.’* “Don’t worry,",-replied
' the lunabashed: ? male,, “these ‘
aren’t •’ for ■ you. ; I * am /taking •-
"them ito^the; love-of vmy .life. ;
later-on.’’ 'And to u cap/,the:
climax. ?another; guest arrived?
:,with -an) armful i 'of iexquisite* i
;• apple, blossoms, - said ■ '.'hello”. to - l
:Nancy-andipromptly:gave the? 1
, apple < blossoms .to' Robert, ‘ the f.
■ Watson - - butler; ■- with instruct f ‘
> tlons ‘ to; “put .them ;ins the 'lcel 1
box until 'Mrs.-; B—-— * comes,}
f they - are ±Ion t. her.” ’ f Do: S youJ
■blameNancy? ■ t
' * 1
, i
WASHINGTON.TIMES-HERALD;
Page f 7 i _
t»a i
Mr- Tracy, , _
Mr. Carson 1 , , r n ,-
Mr. Coiicy_
Mr. Hendon . ,_
Mr. Holloma n _
Mr. McGu»rc_„_
Mr. ,Harbo_^_^__
Mr. Quinn Tamra_
Tele. Room___
Mr. Ncase_,, .—
' Mjs’sfB e atm.
Miss Gand^.;_ (L
' i
APR ^ 2
*
S Zn_
Eou tofl .Y. ,..Peco rci/d,,.
Search od/.... t'*bc- / '<« d.. ! / •
finTiljerwd..... Filed ..
i APR 8SW /
'■ Ml BMREAU Or UiVfSTitJATU l
-r. .IL I - ■ ■ jeOTT J —rill * )> m ~m» fWl—: , • F|
91984
®RX 7'1942
Yfashi gton Tines Hearld
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I»tr« )C ||?^4 *»»••••*»■«
ICt, Tr*«y........—.
Mr; Oswa..........
Mr. CoSqr,--
Mr. n«s 4 ss.......
Mr. XfsSesaa. ......
Vx.'tUGm'n. _
Mr. QuIaoTaracj....
j Mr. Km» «*•«» • »mmm «• 1
t cuic{
Fj rovostiMa rsHalyExpa nds
0 H
' J|l%e■1&E0RBE.jD:lRiftEy : ! | j
mwtm
Frills andReformsiFacle > : ,
; lit 1 - has -l taken. ?three Vmonths“ "Now it- is "luaximumy speed ’
pastthe, date? of < sheeting’war• sand' ^utilization ' of « aH'i%c-,
to 4prove‘that reformers vfatt , to strip; the admlnistra-
.4^^;
build'‘-solidly w e 'have.■ gone /as:ti*r'.inr-this,
build'‘-solidly
enough in the
Federal";civil- '
lan. {-service.
’{6r s mobility,
flexibility and
Endurance. _ ,
; 'Within' two ■ kVol|4'|feA m i ‘
weeks ol-th'e -
start, oi’ ; Htt* "
ler’s imarch
in ; ■ 193$ we
pointed oU t" il - 1 MM&r&rZ?-
jthe.. plans to j<
shape, l Amer--, -.
ieah industry- °“**** *■*“**'
forlwar.'YWe said then that .Wil-
llaifu S. Knudsen’.iwould'>start',
thej baii - rolling. ^Nearly 300;
days later r he 1 did.- ( .
, / t » w 1 fit.** fv.. I
f {'direction as"we had'veered 'away;* j
' I nearly ' 30 .'months. -’<Now - there i
'will ’be “no' maximum, -’age:
f- ' Jimlt” -lor ;jobs -except' where ;
f i appointing;-, offices can’’submit
1 - a i case ‘“otherwise. ' .The * admints-
■ trative ;and -executive - dikes y
", which-have. f pentiup the? Hood*'
• ; waters ! oM civilian ‘admlnistra-:
i tlve ;labor rsupply'Tinally 'have*
>been broken^-at .least on,paper.
’ ..Some long-range benefits imay:
result? ‘U.S. & ’-Us ] has-, main-?
>talned a central application and;.
, .tentative .hiring oiiice .issuing
l- .uniform application ,? blanks JS-
t',, -necessary and that a permanent*
)■ transfer"agency is needed;,Civil,
’ Service > commission ;says > it<is-,
aays - later ‘ nc cuar * J ocivxvc %,v T
?,< Even t as Uhe -•'Federal .civittari' arranging?the former 5 modified;
1 ” . • >k. , • • _ M W* . .. A >... A. - A.-. tJ S~*
service has '• been the. subject,, .of. vw># ww,r " w »->■*•- w -
several«dozen executive orders, -Short will,*be «,chief»cf. War|
each I.in its jlittle 4 way; designedi ^Transfer - Service; Archie-C.Ed-
to ket-the'administrative house, ,.;wards will ; be - assistant ’.chief,,,
fa (order iforwhat* most of, us! ,-Room • < 1. i 820 1 Seventh . Street ,
kntw would'be our. part In > the. -NW, .'Now, Uthe’high-powered,
world' - conflagration. iFinally . . Olson; ‘ Committee. Tnterdepart-
thj - White House. “froze” :prac-. mental -Placement . Service; ; De-;
tieilly 4 all 5 personnel In; their ,, - centralization 'Service .‘and,-the?
jobSi -The “freeze”' eontinuedT ’National• .-.Roster,,!are : (merged}
from July ; li 1940, untll ; late in . maybe -we-.yan- ’advance -the,
Februarygy n. *- -,". *, ■ ’ - .paper-plans.
Yesterday we said Oliver. C.
- Office.of-.the:Provost Marshal;
^General > has' become one ;of ;the
;most rapidly expanding branches ;
■ of-- the' p e d e r a 1service,’ This'
, branch was set up July, 31 .,T9f 1,
yWithOnestenOgraphcrandMive;
-officers ffrom .Office' of 'Judge-.
Adv<?cate pehCral and/one clerk ;
-from ^Adjutant "General’s.office,;
j '"Thai office; has grown;to;-l25 ;
: civilians and.108,officers,jn,the'
; centraloffice. There are^ 1,590.
;Undercover, men over;the coun-.
. try. - A; provost • marshal 'general's
’ * school; has "been i established -‘at ’
,,Arlington,- Va„ - with- 30 'offleers
on the faculty, and 211 - student
; i officers. i
i ,'In addition, alschdol of'mill-
1 - tary government 1 Is .being set.UP.
'-Many ■ ;profes$ors • > of;political
- ■ science will .‘teach carefully;se-
flectedi officers ; :hOw Ho’become
'civil administrators. ,
,A corps of military, police-has •
j been; created .wlthsi’new bat-:
1 talibns of the, “interior”(type and'
18 1 prisoner-'of ..war *’escoxtcom-
-panies now in'process of,’forma 1
ition, 1 " - * !
* - vl nves{t»a ^>^n<,- thtyUj 0 " 4 --fry
; cjtii^^B r~Ta^^ ;
,Tnrrr>friv_nf fki ana l amous as.
•-the Dilllnger ncmeS Ii- SRdTMpn
.iWiniamTEf^HrSRar^n. . , > :
' ‘According > to r Col./Archer'll J
tLerch; sdeputy ‘.provost '-marshal*
IgerieralJ “the work''of:inve$tiga-,
J tiOns 1 Division includes : examina-
itiohs Of records of applicants for, -
. important'national, defense post- -
,'tionS. if or: directors, of "Civilian >
i Conservation Corps,.; and {Under- ’
- cover ! -worki in connection ' with
* prevention,, of crime ! and appro- -
: hension i of < criminals within . the 1
-Army.’ ; ’ > ■ ‘ ■ ‘i
“This-'-i?; the < division i : which'
) supervises work (of ,1.500’ undtr-
cover i men;.'... -. .'Already, thisdi-
* vision»has been; able ' to v solve
isome ,‘.rather ; involved‘ . larceny
*• cases: and? is- making ' some ) hun¬
dred; investigations daily of; per¬
sons-'in';; the - nationaLJef«»«o
,setup."*- ; ■ . ***'•'
lEmergehcy Operations Divi-
yjtion is under.com mand,.of.IieuV,
• CoyiHOmer-'W, JoneS’Snd Is de- ; e
- signed 5 to ’ take . over ' whenever (
4 thefe iis - domestic, i disturbance,
•'and is ;on’the alert'for sabotage,..
ifire,’riot: .strike; or?flood. • •’
01^42
a 7
_ rmstt
AN 19 1334
jr
*•
ana
bj /: IGeorge DjRiley
ms£*&sf£
; -tm
* gffffif
'.Hi
iOffjceidfiPMG Expands ,
! Office of . the, Provost .‘Marshal General! has -become^
,one /of .the i.most:‘.rapidly,-expanding branches .of *thei
' .•Federal service. ’;This branch,was set up July 31jjl941,j
Avith pne stenographer and^five officers
hfrbm;Offiee‘6f Judge, Advocate General-
.and'ione.clerk from 'Adjutant.'General's-
'Office. j
'i , That.offibejhas grown'to’125 civilian!,
1 jandofficers -in* the central, .office'. •
{ There>*are ^1;500 -undercover tmehyover,
the icountry.. A' iprbvost; marshal;gen-,
*erai's’School /has (been established-at
/ .Arlington, Va.,, withr30 ,officers;'oh; the !
fatuity and‘2n?student;officers. ; ’, /- 1
< ■ .'’In addition,* a. jschoQl of military#gov-
|{ernment 'js' heing, set 'up'. ' Many, pro-
[ fessorsvof .political!.science willuteach '■G*tn'*.\xv*r;
t carefully'selected officers h<?w tohecomeciviladniiriis-
trators. A •‘ 1 •, - • \ ; T ’ •'
.Investigations. -Division! ’.&■/
, etudes
fonuerlyofFiJland', famous at
'.the Dillinger nemesis, and Capt.
;>William'B.’Richardson,
, According to : Col.; Archer X. ,
!Lerch, deputy, provost marshal^
•general, “the work of Investiga¬
tions Division Includes examina- 1
, tions of records of applicants for
; important national defense posi-.
. ; jions. ■: for' directors ■ of•) Civilian
Conservation Corps,’ and under-
cover ■- work - In' connection - with 1
prevention of- crime and 'appre-,
.henston of criminals - within-the,
■Army. 7 ‘ ' '
“This 'Is the {division -which >
‘supervises work of 1.500 under-
-cover,men. ... Already.this di-;
.'vision-, has .been, able - to i solve'
.some * rather.'.Involved larceny:
cases and Is making some hun¬
dred lnvestlgations daily of per-1
, sons ,in /the. national ;■ defense
setup."
Emergency .Operations:-Divi¬
sion Is under command of Lieut.-'
p>l, Homer.W. Jones and Is de->
signed; to! take. over' whenever'
flthere is-’domestic,’! disturbance.'
ffand Is oh the alert’for sabotage;,
^fire, riot;’strike/or Qy’ 1 - ■ - -
jjr. TelJO*-...—
I-Sr. 32. «
;.J t. Cl<—*’•“*' |
tlr. CHvta j
j,-r. Lt-W-"—”""' j
• T.Xr, tlivio’*—■ ■
Xr, p.esja
Mr. Tracy m..•*"
j.Ir, CaX2ca
jtt.
j,lf. ...•—*y
llr. MA
VS3, q|
>ir. hA
j jh*.j
WASHINGTON, D.C.
i March.
MMSS-H&Ugp./
4 .♦* f 3 /
■ - -a#
* ** '
’ #
C,
JOH ti
V^,Y^
EDGAR HOOVER
OIRtCTOR
JENsBSP
3fie&eral 83urrau of InuEstisatton"™”
Untied §tatrs Uepartment of 2fuat!ce
Ulasljmgton, 3. Ct.
Noveaber25, 1942
MEMORANDUM FOR MR.
CC-287
i'b ^
To Ison Jr
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Carson_
Mr. Co(fey__
Mr. H*ndon_
Mr. Kramer_
Mr. McGuire_
Mr. Harbo_
As of possible interest I desire to record the fact
that on November 25, 1942, I had lunch with Captain Carl
Sardley, attached to the Provost Marshal General's Office .
Western Defense Command . Captain Eardle y advised he i s pres¬
ently attending t he school~for criminal investigators being.
c onducted 1 by LleUtenAnt Colonel Melvin B. Purvi s^ This school
hAs been held at Fortfelethorpg and is presently being moved to
B attle - CreeK, Michigan - . Captain Eardley stated the school has
been organized for the purpose of training investigators to handle
petty offenses committed by armgi personnel, both on and off Gov¬
ernment reservations. He indicated they used two films prepared
by the Bureau, one being the "Technique and Mechanics of Arrest”
and the other showing an~orgamzed raid on an apartment house.
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tel*. Room_
Mr. Neaie
Mias Beahm
Miss Gandy
Mr. Eardley informed that a 'former Agent narseddHfancock
also acts as an instructor in this school. He said he^believes
Purvis is ambitiou s to establish n a little FBI" within the Amy
b ut as far as he, saroiey, can see hrrvisTs^Bogged down with - .
Aray red tape and'he doubts very ~much'th&t an organization of
any~importance will develop. He indicated the course of instruc¬
tion will cover about fifteen weeks.
KTSjDB
lew Haven, Connecticut
September 21, 1942
PSR3JNAL AW D C.LUJf'IiiUfc JlAi-T
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
1*ashington, D.C.
Dear Sir*
Confirming my telephone conversation mith Assistant
Director RICHARD UutVltl at 9:00 P. on September 8, 1942, please
be advised that on September 6, 1942 Special Agent 303 1 )SLl I.
SPACER of this o ffice, in conducting another official inves ti¬
gation. contactedI _|
I mho advised him that Mr. 1ECM TURHOVi. a
roraer Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
had been in Greenwich, Connecticut and stated that he, TURRQT.,
together pn&y;^ former special agent, mere
getting comissions as Majors in the D.S. Army Counter-Espionage
Unit.
- b7D
_[advised Agent Spencer that Mr. TtlRROt
had told him that he could secure a Captain* a commission in the
U*S* Amy for him. He etated that TURBOS had told him that their
morte mas to bs that of counter-espionage overseas behind the lines.
I I further intimated that Mr. TURBO ft mas
looking for othsr recruits, particularly Bureau trained men.
Inasmuch as ths abort information mat told to Agent Spencer
in the stric test confidence. it is requested that evexy effort be
« k a | I . . . .
made to keep.
furnished to you lor information purposes.
undisclosed. This is being
iujr jr uujtii
R* H. Simons
, „ -jCFFO*
JAN 1j iSM
Special Agent in Charge
SYRihs
November 19, 1942
( r
' . i
MR* CUN*IN3?AM
Reference Is made to a letter to the Dir sc tor da tod
Soptaobor 21, 1942 frost Spocial Agent in Charge, Now Haven,
Connecticut, ihls letter concerns statements nade by former
Special Agent Leon Turrow to the effect that he and former Special
Agen ft Melvin Puryi^afr sre obtaining comissions as Majors in the
United States Arwy,Counter Espionage Unit*
This matter was discussed with Captain Calvert, who advised that
a tab has been placed against the name of Turrow in the files of 0-2, in¬
dicating -that this .man should not be commissioned until he has been
thoroughly investigated* Captain Calvert stated that Purvis has a com¬
mission as Major in, the Provost Marshal General's Office and there la no
indication that he da working in any Counter Espionage Unit* He stated
that as of the present tine, he does not believe Turrow has received ary
c omission.
Respectfully,
S* Y* Reynolds
Mr. Tolson ... ^
Mr, ‘E. A. Tamm _
.Mr< Cleg g .
Mr 1 . Glavi n .._
Mr. Ladd
Mr, Nichols ._
Mr. f Ro*e n .
Mr. Trac y, .
JSjtr-, Caraon ,, ,.. ,
Mr-.. Coffe y, ^
■Mr. Hendon ,,- ‘ • «f*$**''
Mr. -Kramer_Vy^ < .V ^ ,
Mr', McGuire ... ' - , , , <f \ ‘ '
Mr>. Qulna-Tamm . ir _ w * ' ‘ * » ' ,
Mr., Neas e
Miss Gandy ..
GCBlGS
June % 1942
MR* LADD
4 •( . f 1
r
Referenoe is made to tho nenorandua for the It!
Director by Mr* Teum dated Juno 5» 1942* with referfjttojr
to the report that Loon Turrou was to be eoaoissioaSi
a Captain in the Off loo of the Provost Marshal Geneyhl*
Pursuant to your instructions, 1 oootacted **7
Colooal Bissoll* Coloaal Bisssll stated that several days
ago Mr* fam had called hin about this natter and that
Jnnedlately thereafter he had called a friend of his in
the Office of the Provost Marshal Oeaeral and had been
advised that Turrou was almost sure to receive a eoanissiou
because he was "thoroughly vouched for by Captain ! Melvin —
Purvis" d Colonel Bisssll stated that he would make further
efforts to block this appointment, but stated that it looked
like it was out of his hands by this tine*
Respectfully,
G* C* Burton
At,, T-nlson
it., E.A. T*mm_.
At, Clegg
dr. Glavi n
At, Ladd . .
At., Nichol s
At . Rosen
Mr, Tracy
At., Carson
Mr. Cot le y..
Mr . Hendon ._..
Mr . Kramer__
Mr. McGuire_
Mr. 'Qui&nTamm.
Mr. Nease —
! .1, > 1
RICHMOND, VIROIHIA
September 9 , 1942
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D* C.
Dear Sirs
On September 9* 1942 Ur. Winfield 0. Cook, Acting Regional
Director, Facility Security Branoh, Office of Civilian Defense,
1528 Baltimore Trust Building, Baltimore, Maryland, contacted this
office and stated that he was in Richmond, Virginia, with a view to
setting up a program relative to the prevention of sabotage.
Mr. Cook related that his program was in connection with
the Executive Order 9165 and that the program had been discussed
with Mr. P. E. Foxworth, Assistant Director in charge of the Haw fork
Office of this Bureau, Mr. Code stated that his program had as it»
primary purpose the coordination of nine Federal investigative agencies.
He advised that within the near futu^d fifteen men would be
taken from the State of Virginia and trained at Fort Ogelthorpe, Ga.
under the direction of Melvin Purvie, formerly connected with:this
Bureau. He etated that they would receive Intensive training in finger¬
printing, firearms, raids, quick draws, laws of arrest and the methods
of sabotage. Mr. Code advised that through hie program he believed
that they could be of assistance to us in educating the employees of
the various plant facilities in the state in the method of follcming
cabotage.
Mr. Cook has advised that as soon as some definite program
is set up in the State of Virginia he will confer with me further in
ooxmection with this matter.
Very truly yours,
\
H. I. BCBBITT
Special Agent in Charge
JA! * 191984
JELiEH
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DCRBCTOR.
E. A. Twilit'''''
LBN :NWD
9fed*ral Sttreatt of ftiueattgation
^tatw Department of Justice
laa^ingtim, i. (L
June 15, 1942
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. TOLSON
L^^fl^Nicho »9^
Mr. McCuire
Mr. Quinn Tamm
~ L F01 l recor ® Purposes and possible future reference, -
Kenne th^Prawfo rd of P£ newspaper called on me on the after- M, " B,shm —
noon of June 10th. He stated that he had learned from M, “ Gandy -
various sources that Generalfoullion and the Provost Marshal -
General s Office were engaged in activities that were not
particularly desirable. He stated that he was doing a general
story on the encroachment of the military on civil matters in war¬
time and pointing out the attending dangers which attached thereto.
is settinn V'' 2” *o advise that the outfit General Gullion
is «p has potential dangers, particularly in view of the
Tt'+T* °f£ en i: dl Gu21i0n - He Stated ^ Gullion and Purvis
together with other members of the clique meet at a Mrs. Moorhead's
cTiTZTl a n per ) odlc [Nervals; that one of the members of this '
Sep q art^nt. ener ' 2l Searles ’ ^ °S fobU a Relations of the war
He stated that he understood that we had had some dif-
f on the^Tst Coair* V 0ull JM' S inter Irenes, in Japanese matters
the^Nn/nltn^lJ^ 1 po V} ted out that probably the dealings with
the Jar Department were through Mr. L. M. C. Smith or Mr. Ennis o'
V£e^^lnti% TT ^Crawford volunteered that he had "
to the encroachment a^ inter} erlnce° on The lett Rowe had rp f e ^ed
Teller x ed
aenerj'about ihtsa S ** tal * M *° the At ^rne v
Gullion and others
uf that . th e re- was
ter.)
) . f'--."
'Ais Bure da record,
referred to the anti-Semetic view of'
and to their feeling toward the Bureau. J told h
of course no comment that we could make on
_ .. . . Re - brou 9f li: up the question oMpur$^^i
I did not discuss Purvis but did point reC0rd
jnchar g, 0/ «At mitogen case, that he operated™ Pft
gpBF®^ quietly While purvis did a certain amount of "fronting "
a buy rlnliZn TTT T at he had heard that Pu ™is
9 5J2T regarded by the Bureau. I did not cornment or deny this 9 ^
STATES <7 •
Iff SAVINGS v- -
tmguDmim \ _ _: „ „ Ti H H’ TrH” ' ~ r "
Memorandum, for Mr w Tolsoh ' Page Two
He wondered if there were any leads that we could give
him. I told him that we would certainly keep this in mind, although
as I had indicated there was no comment we could make. '
j * J
Crawford was very affable and referred voluntarily to his
new understanding of the Bureau, stating that he wished he could j
come oyer and see us more often and referred 1 to the dinner I had '
with him some months ago. I pointed out that I had noted that his
paper had taken a few digs but that he had not resorted to some of
his old tricks - shooting darts at the Bureau. He laughed and i
stated that "You don’t have to worry about me.” He pointed out
that he had an entirely new understanding of' the Bureau and was
still sorry for some of the things he had said and done.
Respectfully,
Nichols
S\JES ENGINEER
;ema- w,<% s
s&s&Bsa
'%.Sib "i'i
•Mr ,/S %\son ^ '
Mr>E\ A. TltlSm.
; y ?Hr,
f' Mr.
Mrf-Ulavin_
Mr. Ladd , -
Mr. wmfi xsSL~
"Mr. Rosen . ' .
'Mr. Tracy
Mr. Carson_
Ut., Colt ey
'Mr. .Hendon_
Mr. -Kramer
■ Mr. .McGuire_
Mr. Quinn Tamm.
Mr. rNease_
Missi Gandy_
photographed mode), Janice Jar-
rett h suing In Texas to divorce
John £T. Deely, to whom she 'Vas
marrifd In 1939. \
h^e4^n§?S£D5nL3a^iL*ilIi '
turvls, G-man. \ \
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;'(*n rchod'/.... Chockyj 1
irr,bored,.Viled..
JUN 25 y\; )
*, . RAL BUREAU OF IjiVESTMJAil'M !
^£3
New York Post
L-/T-VJL
— j^A.£>HOJC
19)984
.1
Mr. »0J
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
DIRECTOR
JFM:KGB
Mr. B. A. Tam
3Fei»rral bureau of tnuestigution
United §tatea department of Bustler
Utaahington, 33. C.
April 16, 1942
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. QLAVIN
Mr. Holloman
Mr. Qultm Tamm
S WI TH
You will recall that Major A. C. Kelly of the Adjutant
General's Office previously contacted you regarding the names of those
agents who had not submitted their resignations! to the Secretary of
War and he requested that he he recontacted regarding this matter.
On a return call Major Kelly advised that Major Gray of the Provost
Marshal General's Office desired some Information regarding those
agents who had not submitted their resignations. Major Kelly indicated
that Major Gray would call at the Bureau regarding this matter.
On April 15, 1942, Major Gray called in person and stated he
was desirous of obtaining the names of the agents who had not submitted
their resignations so that they might be called to active duty by his
office.
Major Gray was furnished the names of the ten Special Agents
who had not submitted their resignations as well as the corps area to
which they were assigned and the branch of service. He was also given
the BOD date on these agents. He was further informed that certain of
the agents had already reported for active duty.
He mentioned incidentally that former SAC MelvityjPurviE was
serving as an officer in the Investigative Division of the Provos t Mar shal
QmteraX 1 . Office. STf®. L.-J
He indicated that there was no fur m ^jitt^^^ionwhae<^fe^:•
at this time and he was informed if there was amrfiiSk pe^tofau could f
furnish him, he should not hesitate to call. f c jl
1 fc.mW '&> . . ' “
, Kuw<«* \_
Respect!
J. P. Mohr,
cc: Mr. Wilcox
copy
I
i
LBN:RC
• •
iEDERAL BUREAU" OFINVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
’.WASHINGTON, D.C.
October 8, 1943
X
MIMORANIUM FOR Ml. TOLSON
Major Oliver McKEE who is now assigned to the Provost Marshal
General’s School at Charlottesville, Virginia, has informed, me that
while at Camp Custer near Battle Creek, Michigan, he learned that Col¬
onel Melvinrurvis was either Commanding Officer or Executive Officer,
of the MJP. Officer Candidate School.
U
Q
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E
V)
iU
o
J5
o
«
o
McKee's class had no contact with Colonel Purvis nor had he
heard any gossip or talk about Purvis' activities. Oliver stated he
would try to drop in and see us when he got to Washington this fall.
Respectfully,
s/h. B. Nichols
ft"
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■ — XEROX
UAN 19 7984
CflGliGS
Call 2t 00 *.»♦
April (y t i?43
WL. LADD
BZ: LStt TURROO
ASM Voapgm c*U«4 *t thie with th*
though* that the Bureau might b* ixitortat** * ****
that he had juat learned that Turron collated In the
W a> a Private ort AprU 5, 194$, It ie enderjteod
that he -will be aaaignad to the Provoat ICarehal General* »
branch and will work under Melvin furvif doing training
wolit* - ' ‘
jteepectfully*
J, K. MvaXerd
» i *
.T j, *
'•Mr TaUaa t .
Ur *, '4. Taeei^i.
Ur Cl>««
Jilr ftlaVie
Ur Ladd
Ur Htakols__
,llr
Ur Traajr_
Ur, Carson__
Ur Col t*7^.
. Ur, Hindoo ...
Mr, Krsmor,_
■ Mr , MoOulra.
Mr. Harbo_
|'JUr. Quinn Tanun_
Mr. M«««
Mi si
.•si
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February 2, 1945
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. TOLSON
A Mr. Bowman of the London Daily Mail called.
I told Bowman that this was a War Department
matter, that we of course could furnish him with no infor¬
mation. I did point out that Mr. Purvis was assigned to
the Chicago Office during the time that Dillinger was
being sought, that he did work under the Inspector, Sam
Cowley, who deserves the credit for the actual apprehen¬
sion of Dillinger, and I also told him a few other minor
items•
He wanted to secure some information on '*the G-man Purvis
who killed Dillinger and is now heading Jbhe War Crimes
^f)
nn' j is
Respectfully,,
L. B. Nichols
Whenever opportunity presents itself get over
truth—Purvis did not kill Dillinger and had very little
to do<in the case. Cowley was in charge and deserves
the credit. H.
i » /
% ^ ^ M
< 'll
/
6 AUG 15 1958
The Director might be interested in information
received by Agent Mason to the effect that Colonel Melvin
lurvis was separated from the Army last week and he has
now returned to civilian life. It is presumed that he
will take up his old activities in North Carolina.
Former* SAC Tackett who is a Colonel in the
Judge Advocate General's Office of the Army has recently
returned from Tokyo where he was engaged in preparing
cases against Japanese war criminals. It is understood
that in the near future Sackett will enter Salter Reed
Hospital to have his hemorrhoids removed and thereafter
will return to civil life.
Respectfully ,
THIS MEMORANDUM IS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES
TO BE DESTROYED AFTER ACTION IS TAKEN AND NOT SENT TO FILES
i, *i * *-
JKT*M DAPtpMm «dL4>
' -.1
# • ' '
^ w^ ^ , « *! ’Jl
& Memorandum • united states government
V ^ * s >■' . *
JJM:mjm .
to ; 2/r. poison
date: February
from ! L . B.' Nichole
SUBJECT:
Vr,
OjI ‘fsy^
yr, #ia/u
JtJ" • iL'-T — U. _ ,
J£e»i
rj*. f
Shodes odtused J/r. McGuire telephohicallyin wy
essence yesterday that he had received an ^
Folwach, a former reporter of the Jfinneapol is Tribune arid<Mtar
Journal; to the effect that the, ,eg£*cr of the n
requested him to check Melvin
material concerning his FBI Cities area
VP. IV ey^
•W. u-i 5J.V
!i!r. i irj.
iX, rin ”
¥a' -1.
Mr. .rjr-.,
*? ® IS ■ i. C 1i . v .
i|I . r ..s ,, . „
I kii 3 I'W.iyJ
It .appears that Purvis is ^ he ^^^^^^^ShT, heP a n s *"
Toledo, Ohio, on Friday or Saturday of this '
Personal friend of Folwach, asked that he
Folwach that there was absolutely no He
and, further, that Purvis- did not he
then requested personal information ^ ha i]$k'd e fjS} % Gh' i: **>■-*'
■was in the Bureau's employ at the same S\Hl/ $khl s m n%* nnalinhle
told him that he had no information that/W^fa be made available .
• 5
W v
Rhodes
)/
personnel dim p EB 7 9 53 j||rf. ,
FebK 3 09PMNS l! cetvEo-oinECTOf ?8 7 .85*®
i 0 ;
FBI ' tJ.$ PFP1 JDF.H^
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
iiii'll * (Vi.,, 1 - ,
% r 3.1
U.$.-TFE*»T tfff :u;sTUJ
-n <f- 50
S ,-r 5
% e
to. otPO
-rt
1
' M A
.Midi'Mi Purvis , Formerly With
\FBIp Promoted To\Colonel
,1 ,,! { ,y >’fl j
; .* r ; ,^«...
''' < • ' j" '»H t i. (' >Mk^
y ' v .,-■ * i s '§ *:
Siferm
TW
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r ■« *u?. - *v ■■ •
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Jtft'T'v f
ru, r ,. ' »..
v., M
?**.<; •“'»'•< ■
\\t, V^~* *+•.%»*
J iv v
• MELVIN PUBVJS,.of Florence/S.C., formerly With*'the'F6[i .Vi
whose promotion to full colonelcy has been announced. vSV’T
Colonel Purvis has been serving , J as deputy .provdsW^y?"*''
general of the/North African theater of operational heiaquafter*-
„ In North Africa since going > oversea* In 'September,, W*». M*
"sentered the army at‘the beginning of the .war as.-a 'captain.
He Is the brother ofiMrs. Henri - Going ■ and Mrs. .Samuel. P. ;
‘Swafford of Columbia,.S. C. :His,wife Is the former'MIss.-Rosann*';
Wllcojf .of Florence. S. C., _ >* •
A.graduate of the University of South Carolina, CoiWnel Purvis
. v mt. with -.t he Federal Bureau of 'Investigation *and a* .an. ret
> agent .was instrumental' In *the staying of John .Dillingef,, then!'
Public Enemy s No. 1, several years, ago.
'} 7 -
L>'OT, KKCORDUIX
W M 12 1344 ' ’
Z^iAJUyO
SubmittrVUv -ba-i.'i'" § j
2^.
K
?! jrrA*WjmromiNo,*4
I • V,
‘y
TO ;
FROM :
SUBJECT;
-Office Men™, *wi i/^ti/JTTr *
UNITED
Mr; D, u. Laddrtf/
}
i GOVERNMENT
DATE: June 5, 1
L, R, Penningtoi
4 .
.'i ’«
^ r
i
le meeting of the Americanism Commission yesterday
in Indianapolis I had a long talk with one of the new members,
Lieutenant Colonel Karl Nash who was in charge of CID work in
the European Theater, He stated he had worked with a number
.of our men prior to these men being returned to the United
States,
' Colonel Nash stated he had numerous contacts with Melvinl
Purvis and LeonjTxSrrou, He stated that both men were incompetent, I
thQiQvahlu de spised and both had uellow streaks up their backs, '
Me stated this was generally known.and he had informed Turrou to
Stay away from his headquarters and his menj He further stated that,,
JTurrou was originally refused a commission and through the finggli
of Meivtn Pur vis jingiiy secured oneT He further stated he knew
'hat TuzrQU-and- Jtioo othe r incompetents received their promotions
qs the re sult of extensiW-Tcms made td PurvTs? He stated Purvis t ,
actually owed Turrou $11,000*' -*
y , - — ' . . . ■■ ■
I inquired as to how Melvin Purvis would need such sums
and he stated that when Purvis returned to South Carolina after ?
having made considerable m easy money in this country he endeavored '
to live like a country gentleman' and built a-home away out of
-proportion to his income and as a result was continuously financialty
• strapped, . ■
He stated that from personal observation of Purvis* *•
jjCowardlce* in the European Theater he definitely knew the reason
\why another man was substituted for Purvis to be in cha'rge of the
\capture of Dillinger, Colonel Nash stated that both Turrou and
Purvis were pathological liars: that he came in contact with
Turrou 1 sson_wh,n ngd formerly been a Bureau employee and he was
: at)out as bad as his father.
It
4 i
'wlM.
I rr t
i
JUii 27
LHP:DC
i / Mr. J. Reuben Long
1 Attorney-at-Zaw
Conway, South Carolina
Dear Mr. Long:
Upon siy return to the city, I wish to
acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 84,
1946, in which you make inquiry concerning Mr.
M • U.'f’urvis, a former Special Agent of this
Bureau.
Representatives of the FBI do not serve
as prosecuting officers. The FBI is an investiga¬
tive agency and it is our responsibility to secure
the facts, which are then presented to the various
United States Attorneys and the prosecutive officials
of the Department of Justice for decision as to
prosecution.
1 trust this will answer your inquiry *
Sincerely yours,
J* ifilgar ■&ov*T
John Sdgar Eoover
Director
PemUngTff fr_
VTr. Quinn Tajn m^v
¥r, Nease ’’*■*■**"*»
Miea -Qanfl# *
(S
J!j
i •« ii'i
loo
i i
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lf * ♦ ■
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CS?
1\>
'a
SOLICITOR
1 2th Judicial circuit
%. Reuben ISartg
ATTO R N EY-AT-t-AW
Conway. S. C.
June 24, 1946
Hon. John Edgar Hoover
Chief Federal Bureau Investigator
Washington, D. C.
My Dear Sir:
If there is no impropriety in your doing so, and no
violation of the rules or regulations^ your
I would appreciate It very nuoh. In deed ir you. wouiu e
iont y If there should be any cost, Incident to the com-
pllationf I Ihould be glad to pay same upon the receipt
of your bill.
I nisrht add that Mr. Purvis is seeking a Public \\
Offlee and as I am advised claims a record of numerous M
fries'on n the S parfo? the prosecution
this record Is not one of mere curiosity, as Mr. rurvis
is seeking the position I have had the Honor of filling
for the past eight years.
If you are unable to give me this information, and
can advise me were I might obtain the same, P
predate it if you will do so.
Thanking yoQ in advam^b^your early attention to
this, I am, ^ xrtSOOBB® 1 ^
Yours very tru L&7- 7^/j? f j
&i\arcn©d .-.,.6^...^** ‘S ^
. -Jkrry^H l> f' ^ ft A *
* Fyluben Lo
JRL:mp
P».
(A'wi ii m
\h/h$UhV BuCvU li « jUlTy
• ” jl±L . ft- Z - -* * ■ *■ i -i-**
- - k
' STANDARD FORM NO. W
Office Ts/Umorandum
/s'
TO
FROM
MB. TOlSOIi
W. B. QLAVI1J
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
DATE: 12 - 20 -lj .6
SUBJECT:
Mr, Tieserij from the office of the Assistant Secretary
of War. telephCnpally communicated with me inquiring asJto
* J I . i « W . 1 - L . M ^ A A m a a a a )/ d 7 ”in Pu
•w. QurneS
Mr. Mxtx}
vx. MenOo S ■
. Pemu nx’O Q m
l A,i1nM
whether the Bureau knew the preser&^address of Melvin Purvis,
Mr, Tiesen stated that the Army wa$C particularly anxious' to ge ;
in touch with him to handle Chie^Sheci al Inves tigator s job
in Tokyo. Sgt^^ I 67- ^ i
I told Mr. Tiesen I didfi&t know
the present time; that he undo$tifte&l
South Carolina • ^
rvis was
cej
Filed
5 UEC 30, i^S
FEDERAL EURE,
__Terspnne'l Tiles Section,
_He cords Section-
_Mrs* Slcilloan
i
See Me For Appropriate Action
s
Send File Note and Return
t
Clyde Tolson
, *
t 1 ' t
1 1 i
* i
i •
^urvis’ Says Youth Musi-
Play Role in Crime War
1 < Mur n nr. — , ^ .. JL r . 1 ri j- JT , ,
/ormer Kx-FBI Agent Says Young People Must
( Be Given Place in‘Scheme 1 of Things’
. , We wW have taken .long strides in cutting crime-to an absolute
minimum il we. make the young people of today.feel they are a vital
things in the',home, .community and govern*
FBI agent, told a large audience
last night at Jrem-Temple.
^^Gol. 'Purv-is was introduced .by-study by the best - minds in our
Warden William‘,B. Jlealey and [country .if we are to-curb, the
greeted 'with a «greatfdeal of 1 -- J -- ■-
whistling -and cheers by several
hundred members ot the;Luzerne
County .'Junior Police.
The appearance of?Co). .Purvis,
first .speaker on the Wyoming
valley Lecture Spues this season,
was under the auspices qf* the
Grebe Lecture - Agency.
"1 have come to dctestUhe term
Juvenile delinquency," Col. ‘Purvis
said, and added, 1 "our > delinquency
f* adult.' -There is no Juvenile de¬
linquency except in. mentally-de¬
tective incorrigibles.”
, Col-.Purvis expressed a Strong
*«th in the youth ot today. He
said they, should be taught sports¬
manship, federal, state, county,
and city Jaws .and. they > should
knowledge ot; the, laws on
wild life, '
;IIe stated.that he didn’t believe
we are going to completely erad¬
icate crime but it can be lessened
with some .formal thinking'and
action, He advocated a strong law
enforcement, agency, federal, state,
*£d municipal, to .combat crime.
"Parole, investigating, penal, and
law enforcement agencies must
work hand-In hand to accomplish
this," he said.
Col. Purvis remarked that? there
was need’ for a long , range pro¬
gram. to be designed after long
— ~-;■ r s a sgargeuacaca. “ ‘ ~
-u -
U
I ... if
OCT 251946 S
crime which .is. again • becoming 1
rampant in certain parts of the
country. 1
For the benefit of his Junior
audience, be described, .the cap¬
tures of "Pretty Boy” Floyd, whom
he termed an Incorrigible' and
John.•Pillinger,*. as a .case.of a
.paroled .man, - He said bqtli were
examples of men who thought they
could beat the law,
, Col.* Purvis decried the so-called
code of criminals. He said, "They
will squeal on one another inorder
to save their own hides."
Parole and penal Institutions in
his opinion are archaic. He said
after - a ■ man has been sentenced
and served his time or,'has?been
paroled he'Is released but one
thing is forgotten. That .is - the
abnormal life-the man has , lived
while .in prison, which-has left;a
mark on him, he said.
"When a man has committed a
crime ! and he Is captured, immedi-"
. ately a study' should be i made of
|his 1 background." The law , en¬
forcement agencies should work
closer Avith the parole and penal
Institutions when a man has paid
his debt to society, ’ Purvis pro¬
posed.
'Yesterday-morning, he spoke to
approximately 800 students of
Bucknell Junior College.
. He told them veteran? are in no
way to blame for any ■ condition
which exists in the nation today.
Rather, ‘ he said. the people are to
blame. The -- veterans, he - added,
have not been treated right in
many ways .and have not been
made to feel they .are part* of the
country.
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Mr, ‘f...
Mr, Qtti-i I
Mr. |
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L ,ULrU .3 BiUiRfi KLoOWD
ct. 23,1946
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Purvis, Dillinger Nemesis, \
Says Public Morals Better
Morals and , respect . for .Jaw 1 axe
better in the United States today
than in 1934 when he rounds up the
Dillinger, gang in Chicago, so ■ de¬
clared C 9 I. . Melvin Purvis, dormer
FBI agent, . here today. But ■•he
warned we are • headed lOr an era
of crime—we < are 'almost, in it, .’he
said.
Col. -Purvis who. also ('ended the
crime careers of “Pretty JBoy'f
Floyd and “Baby Face"Nelson, will
Speak tonight at 3:30 in Irem Tem¬
ple under auspices t of-the Gre^O
Lecture ‘Agency. ’Some 1,000 mem¬
bers of . the Junior Police will hear
him, • •
This morning Col', .Purvis spoke to
approximately 800 students at Buck-
nell Junior College. He told'them
veterans are in no way'to blame for
any condition > which exists > in ■ the
nation today. -Bather, he - said, the
people-are more'to blame. The vet¬
erans. he added,' have not ‘Wen
treated right in many way* and have
cot been made to feel they are part
of the country.
Cooperation * Needed
“We must shave .strong law .en¬
forcement 1 organisation,’’ • Col. • Pur¬
vis said. “But this is not the entire
answer to.the crime situation. Nat¬
urally we must adopt -forceful
means and even expedient measures
to cope with the ; present, growing
crime element.”
Parole s and penal institutions,' In
his opinion, are archaic. They should
work hand in hand frpm the time of
the identification of crime. The lav/
enforcement agencies, he continued,
should work closer with parole and
penal * institutions when a, man' has
paid his jdebt to society.
1 Col. Purvis is a lawyer with Offices
in “Florence, South- Carolina, hut
during the Fall and Winter months
is .scheduled to give lectures fa sev¬
eral parts of the country.
COL. MELVIN
.During World War 11 he was origi¬
nally a captain.in'the Judge'Advo¬
cate General’s Department. -At the
outbreak of hostilities he was loaned
to the Provost Marshal General and
was a director of Officer Candidate
School. He served as‘Deputy Mar¬
shal General .fa North’Africa fa that
theatre of Operations, and was called
back to 1 the United , States to help
organae 1 the :War Crime Office, of
which he-was deputy director,., Re¬
turning to Germany for war crimes
work, he was fa charge of Investiga¬
tion and apprehension-program.
T
vs, .i-aw**-
Barro 1ic.es loader
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Junior 1’oficeTUiiit
:J'{foiHcariFBI?OjffieM
(Kingston'llnH’JunSor;Police wili'i
i n t front; ol * the, high-, school
tonight-' at;.-7.. 'Members -;ot the-’
committee ■ will i accompany. ■ the
boys to t Item .Temple ? wherefthey
wljll. tear •■Melvin (Purvis, ■ assistant
;to J, ’IMgar '-Hoover. -.ot .the .FBI. .
Boys in,-sixth, seventh,’eighth*and
ninth'grades are' invited -..to attend.
i : n< f<7 ’
117 241946
The Wilk. G Barre ^cord
Wilkes %rre,J?onna.
Oct,22,1946
K-
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1 “
FBI-MaiittcuViWress ^
i'Coi'Wrt^Jnijputvls,’ ••£onne* i 'rPBt • •)
man who broke'the.John .JDillln'get ,
gang, '.will » speak. before i young
boys- Tuesday ’[night- "at Trent/,
Temple. v 1 •'< « , * . i 1 '*'; 1 ,•
?CoI,"Purvis's, visit here‘was-an- -'
nouncect‘.yesterday, afternoon ,at
the .[meeting.; of i the -• Police;. Exeeu- :
tivbs Association• In ii Legion .Hall,,
Georgetown , 1 [with.-- Georgetown t
Chief, Of'Police •MichaeLSkuba.’as’.,'
host, v ■ i r» ~f„ ■ '
/Tickets /will .be distributed,
among - boys ,from 10 4 to * 10, 'and
admittance ■ will be ■ by. ticket alone,
the, executives said. ’".The.v,Pur\ls\
, talk is not - intended ' for 1 adults.
L Paul'-Kelly, attached;to,the im*
fmlgratlon: office ■ i in u the - Wilkes*
Parre -Posts*Office.. Building, ;was k
speaker , at - [yesterday's,: meeting.
, and’; he»chose, for-his, topic“Leg-, *
^statio n.”~ 11 J
I
352
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r,T 241346
nee ,
Tho Wilkes BarreRocord
Til Ikes Barre,Perma.
Oct.19,1946
; PHl'-AC
*. Uv 1 -' i - 1 ' ’
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J **.*-*=» * 4 *«to 3 UU«U‘*>'i
ST^^OARO FORM NO. «4
Office Memorandum
TO J »•
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
date: September 3, 1948
FROM
SUBJECT:
V. P. KEAT
FORMER SPECIAL AGENT MELVIN 'PURVIS
ADMINISTRATIVE
Refererice is made to telephonic inquiry of the Director as to
whether former Special Agent Melvin Purvis is employed by the Air Corps
in investigating crashes of Air Corps planes to determine if sabotage
was the cause of the crash.
Mr* ToIso n * r
£: Steg
&. mcare ssyrr*
Sr frecj pl i
Mr. CajBo a
Mr, Ega n
Mr. Ourne a : .
Mr, Karbo ~ ‘
- Mr, flendoZ r‘'*' , ' , "T ~ . .
Mr, Penningto n"
Mr, Quinn Tam m"" .
Tele, Roo m
'MT. Nease
Mies BeahJ B‘■" |t * IM " 11 i,ie
Mine Qaady *"' 1
Colonel C. P. Martin, of Air Corps Intelligence, caused inquiry
to be made which resulted in the determination that Purvis 'is not employed by
any section or division of the Air Corps. Colonel Martin further advised
that Purvis holds a reserve commission as a Colonel in the Judge'Advocate.,
General’s Division, and that he is not at the presentXALme on active duty.
Colonel Martin advised that the possibility existosACijau Purvis may have been
employed'by some local Commander to “make, a specSfm^investigation, but that,
if such was done. Air Corps Headquarters is ■ - <! *
^ 67 - . 79/ 9 ') - .£&(
A check was made .with the Cijdx^eronauti< srAdministrati-on.a n d „ the .-
Civil Aeronautics Board by SA Edward' S^Sandera, an< it? was-^de^mlnedf.thaV
Purvis 4 s - not employed .by .either., . . r •; NA.rr.t ei’oc; . ..
Purvi^ 4 s - not employed .by .either.
^B^jhke
6 ^ . #i
M SEP sg 1913
ttSifl. BuiitfcU Cf Clit; (|.
**f+** rm i n
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A 6
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*3
FROM
'DO-7
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
'OFFICIAL .INDICATED BELOW.BY CHECK MARK
Mr, Tolson ,
Mr, Clegg _
Mr. Glavin ,
Mr. Ladd _
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen __
Mr. Tracy _
Mr. Gurnea _
Mr. Harbo _
Mr. Mohr -
Mr. Nease __
Miss Gandy _
See Me - - _ ( )>
Note and Return_ ( )
For Your Recommendation( )
What are the facts? ( ')
Remarks:
*JL-dL tLi.]
M-
Leonard **
Lyons . . J ;
A^EW YORK.— Melvin j/purv-
JXfiOx*aiJ a jvkp
t . I • . • _ _ ' ft * # • 1 1 V\/a/aA via A
1 Carolina ... , DeCca 1 ms acquired
l!rc~nil\t$ to the -Yiddish • Song,
"MCin Shtaytcl* .Beltz,” and wilt
recluse ■ recordings with English
lyrics . . , In' 1943, during the,
Nazi occupation ot I'ranee, St,
Xazaire ordered new locks tor
Its waterways. The locks were
ordered from the JSIann Co. in
Gustafsberg. Germany. This
month tire locks were delivered.
i Gertrude Lawrence, who re¬
ceived an honorary .master of
fine arts detree from Ithaca.
. said the ■ other night: “When I
think -Of the 'Initial? ‘G.L.,
M.F.A.,* I feel so Lucky Strike-
Ish." 1
Last week the:Latin Quarter.
■ celebrated its sixth anniversary.
Lou Walters, proprietor of ' the i
'.club'which is one of.t(ie“larg¬
est in New York, started his ca¬
reer In .Boston. He opened * his.
first Latin Quarter there, with a e
great deal. of trepidation and
very ..little cash. The ;Boston crit¬
ics who.reviewed that opening
described:-the place as having
color and charm,* because of the
checkered tablecloths — waiters
selected them because it would
cut his .laundry bill-^and 1 be¬
cause of‘.the unique lighting—
■Waiters placed wax candles into
the hecks of empty liquor bot¬
tles, only because he couidht
afford to buy lamps.
Victor'Galiancz. the British,
publisher, heard of "The Xaza-
rovs," the new novel 1 by Mrs.
'Louis Fischer, and toid Fischer,
he'd sign a contract for the f
British rights merely, bn Fiseh-|,
er’s say-so. r Gallancz signed thelj
contract,.but.only after Fischer I:
"insisted on .taking him to,his-
hotel and givng him a copy of
the book. ,J
VV / Mr. Tolso n
! I Mr. p. A. Tamjn^
rT Olfti SSI
I I Mr. NicAdj vMEE:
SJ "Mr. Rosen ..
1 /
'Mr. Rosen _
Mr. Tracy_
Mr. Egan_
Mr. Gurnea,-— y
! Mrl Hcfrbo__X_
Mw hr T J T—
MrjfaFennington_
Mr. Quinn Tam!m_
Mr. Nease 7 /
Mis'? GandyV-ZHZ
liUs
67-
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Nun
Filed
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<rf«u«f =**.m *
£ JUL 22 1918
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*’ - iW
izm™ JUtU 51948
Date__
_ rsM
JAWS)a«i 984
A.
, 1 i-*s 1 ■/* ■ •*.
UA V\1 - Mr. Glayi)
\ \ I A Ml- jflffTtadd
Amateurs Blot
Gangsters Out,
|g
Stnt to DAllas by FBI
1 the youngest a gent In the sm fcc
/ / \
I . >)
Vo
”, I.-'"
Tamm.
Mr. Glayio_J^^--
:,&dd
■lie Mis
„ » il capedjrom‘the Cr own P tfnt.
FLOf&NCE, S.C.,'Feb.'5 (UP)
iM tlvia P'^vl?!jh ^mtCGJOan ~^- 3 ‘- * . .. J fc - a
■ J-np ira ekM^ oxta JDillSjq&er^sald PWtoL^Xrt^^aah-.^^ ^ ,
>y»* wit'.thC-Publlc.enemy out ot <n le j*te “woman In red” fi-
i fci)<fne$S, hally - provided f the tip that <p-
'. but' they,,'jn^doart- geUbe.puhh<v hip Monger In, * cnwago movm
*Ityjthey..Uted-to^itlx-sajnin) ^se after the
g 8 SS 3 ^a.SS«&«.
■ tjTe5uy.ys. , ■ ■}■ * ..v
They Make .Headlines .from the set , Return to
“In the old days, the gang per- Florence when ^ rie^toolfa
tonalities In Chicago and Kew and ran anew 1 . . «*«<**.
' York made the - headlines. Today lucrative legal a £ iob on the
: you are as apt < to? find the story j We$t coast lor two years and when
. »>out an ax murder In Oshkosh , the wir came along be was called
(Is man running-amox in Mis- to'Warrington as .a reserve ©fa-
f/jurl.” ’ . ■ . lV ,1 cer. .He 'helped organize ttte
‘[All of’ which suits. Purvis ‘be- , cr imin»l inveitlgatlon. <f-
<’ 4 ause'he never entered the thase. v u loa 0 | the Army-and later
cot pubicrenemlea.voluntarily andi^y^ « intelligence. officer.*;
fis :more-than content .now ,as_.*^ North Africa .and Si£ilyjmd_wlth^
I gentleman farmer ©n h&matfy "«—<. t t- " 1 —.‘- ' . >T
;noU*-boxdered £ * *J? the '-war crimes : divisions in-Ger-t I
there and ■ as , owner-manager sa mn y - .11
fradlo !$tatlon WOIS. ' , ] :He lias settled down again,and Ij
( v '.“this t ime I mean it".Purvis said.|
'taJotrxJtorithe^onfetlmeacbiet-otl*'--.*-.. - • - -—•-
; thtCMcagoJm^fice-antt_<Ulfc- ., <y
t 0 X.. 0 Uhe_dan J§>
hunt jtorahejoot^ua^Phnjyii- ,y
linger. <■
Cel* Calls for Advice *
Despite his‘13-year retirement ** PPD 9R1Q48
from active police work, Purvis 7) |LD I3 “ u
atill gets periodical calls for. ad¬
vice irora Florence citizens who
feed official help. He listens sym-
■ iathetiealiy and> refers his caller* , 1 ’ -
lo the police. .... |,
. 'I “T don’t Mike guns and shoot- . . .
Trac y - -- •]
Mr, Carson
V.9S in
y dr. -Ezan, . »< S\
Jr. G,urno^ 31
tmtp.
/ Mr. Leon
Mr. PeMfpWn^
Mr. Qu»nn
Mr. Nease | JA
Miss\Gan$s, V- \!\
\wS 9 rS
3 ©archod.
H u m
InguAnOSISSZ^BSglnel.
“T^ot-intoJiheJLJBBI- by mistak e.}
—-* •
C, _»h« first place and I mini no.
rtvrxoU!- I I
I W hen he was 2 3, , he said 4 he
w^nt to*Washington with SiTla vn
3 F|^d9 1948‘-j‘ ( J \
FtDER.".* - *• t.A'i Li- iUv&;TICAT!ON
^vyK'^Li- .fir
, / ' J
o - oo^s- ■av > V^-<ry '*w-n-^--
1 ah^_0^hej^^ea EoDMCotj
toruP' :,.gmnh~orgm^t^a?0j
liha. He.got the QO ' iSuTTjfOu r-i
voIvfcd.SQ.he^dropp^amund~m<
.pt»t o«fw to if be^nl^ny
ruwVH. <(VUhV^>«V o-'V ww-wr rn^.-r ,
Z®. 1,1
^pV4A.^L. M,
FEB 6 ' 1948
Tines Herald
Page
33B0X
JAN 10 1934
K
TO ; Director, FBI
V*
FROM r SAC, Houston
DATE: May .5, 19^7
SUBJECT!
SOCIETY - OF FOBMEB SPECIAL AGENTS OF THE FBI
HOUSTON DIVISION >
L
y
As a natter of interest to the Bureau, I am forwarding herewith
a clipping which appeared in the Sunday edition of the HOUSTON POST
on May 4, 1947.
CBS-.NK
Enel, (l)
7
9 JUN 141947
By ELBERT TURNER
VVhai. happens when the ex-G-
Man returns to civilian ranks?
The answer is that 36 ex-members
of J. Edgar Hoover's famous F B. I.
have become an integrated part of
Houston's business and industrial
life. They are now using the re¬
nowned G-Man training in helping
solve the problems of peace.
But once a G-Man, always a
G-Man.
To keep alive the fellowship
enjoyed as members of the
F. B. I., these ex-agents have
banded together into the Society
of Former Agents of the-.Federal
Bureau of Investigation. }
Officers arc Erik G. Peterson,
president; Tom G.XKelLiher, vice
president, and Lewis V LaMaster.
secretary-treasurer. Thfk is the
rtical chapter of the national socie¬
ty. which has more than 1200
members in a world-wide organiza¬
tion.
On the local scene, the older and
retier known fohmer F. B. I. agents
are Charles W.^McPhail, former
Houston chief of 'police, now vice
president, of-the Houston Lighting
and Power company and a member
ofklhc Houston school board; Mr.
Pe/erson. independent oil operator,
firVB A. T. (Ted>\Deere. general sup¬
erintendent. plain protection di¬
vision. Dow Chemical company.
Another local old-time a g e n t
and survivor of the Kansas City
massacre, organized crime’s bold¬
est offensive/ against law and
order, is Joe\Laeke,y, assistant to
—the president,'- Consolidated- Steel
corporation.
In\j!X>3 Mr. Lackey. Agent
Frank* Smith, and the late Otto
Reed./chief of police at. McAIester.
Okla.. captured Frank N a s h,
escaped convict and murderer, in
Hoi Springs. Ark.
While removing Nash by auto¬
mobile. two attempts were made to
release him by fellow gangsters
before he was put aboard a train
for Kansas City at Fort Smith.
Ark. Preparations had been made
in Kansas' 1 ' City to continue the
journey to Leavenworth penitenti¬
ary. Leavenworth. Kan., by car.
Preparations also had been made
by the underworld of that day lo|
“spring" Nash when he arrived in!
Kansas City. On hand for the job!
were "Pretty Boy" Floyd. Adam I
RtcheiIi. Verne Miller and other!
top trigger men—all vicious and
reckless killers with an inborn
hatred for the law. _
INTEREST IN SHOOTING developed by F. B. I. trailing is
earned over into civilian life by ex-agents, left to right. Jirh Scott.
Kill Butler Lew- LaMaster and Herbert Bollfrass prepare to step
up to the firing line. -Staff koto.
SURVIVOR OF THE KAN¬
SAS CITY MASSACRE in 1933
when "Pretty Bov" Flovd ma¬
chine gunned to death four po¬
lice officers and the desperado
Frank Nash, whom he was trv-
ing lo free. Joseph Lackey is
now assistant to the president
of the Consolidated Steel cor¬
poration here.—Staff Photo.
A well-laid ambush awaited the {offered them in private business
officers and their prisoner when |but that as agents their time isn’t
ployment possibilities, passing the
information along to members bes't
qualified for the positions. '
In addition to the Houston^chap¬
ter. there are local groups in Chi¬
cago, Washington, Cleveland, Los
Angeles and San Francisco. /
Members keep posted as to the
whereabouts and activities of for-
-nier—fellow-agents through-a di- -
rectory of members published an¬
nually and a quarterly magazine. I
Membership assures an ex-agent I
of a ready welcome from society j
members regardless of the part of !
the country he is in. 1
Devoted to fellowship among ex-1
agents, the Houston chapter, holds!
meetings once a month, usually a;
dinner. Talk over the highballs is;
mostly about old times arid a re- 1
hashing of exciting chases in the
past.
But ex-agents, as citizens of Hous-!
ton, are also conscious of their du-,
ties and obligations as, members of
the local civic body, i
Knowing well from their experi¬
ence that a city’s indifference and
neglect of the factors contributing
to juvenile delinquency, spawn the
criminal of tomorrow, thev are tak¬
ing an increasing part in civic ac¬
tivities.
Las; fall members of the local,
chapter acted as a team in the Com-:
munity Chest drive under Capt. Bill,
butler.
aldYF'rankeh Alfred C.^ Goodson,
JViniam E.VlIarlan.yBenj imin M.
'Harrison. Raymond/Holland, How-
DEAN OF THE HOUSTON EX-G. MI
vice president of the> Houston Lighting
, member ■ of the school board, looks aft;
of his charges at lunch time at. Rusk
ard S.AH<*pver, Gene jHoucJiins,
Franktfn’C.Wones Jr., T6rti GVKel-
liher, Muri^ D. Kenned]’. James
LETT • --, UUIUCO
H.yKerr Jr., Henry E^KIlefrel, F.
' '\ “ ' \ l
Joseph Ltiekey, L. 31. LaMaster, '
Alvin R.AMartin, Charles W. Mc-
Phaii, Cecil E.VMoore, Joseph A.
.Morris, Phil yPdden, J. Franklin J
,^erry, Erik G. Peterson, Bay E.
-msjhlw Hie merciless- mMnacr..
died with -the officers. Lackey was
[shot three limes and was hospital-
- yr <fj 20 weeks. The last of .the
slues was removed from his spine
■ in 1937.
This belli challenge to law anti
order aroused the indignation' of
a heretofore indifferent, nation., ancl
was the signal for a relentless war
oti crime led by the G-Men.
Of the leaders of t.lie massacre.
Fiord was killed hy the F. B. I.
while resisting arrest. Verne Miller
was put on the spot hy fellow hood¬
lums when the F. B. 1. search for
him hecame too hot' for their coni¬
fer;. Richetti was captured and
electrocuted.
Mr. Lackey points with pride., to
the fact that. 1.1 other persons who
participated in a r t a n g i n g the
"spring" at Kansas City were all
given long prison" terms..
Is there any special job in pri¬
vate industry for which the l . B. X.
training fits , an ex-agent 1
No. ,
Applicants for the F. Bi' I. are
so 'carefully selected and tested that
their fitness for business careers is
obvious. To this is added the far-
famed G-man training that devel¬
ops t.he use of initiative, imagina¬
tion and the ability to follow
through.
The G-Man must, (and this is the
basils of his value to business):
(lb Be a person of quick, posi¬
tive! action.
(2) 'Be able to unmask the. facts
and present them logically — an
essqntial in obtaining a conviction
in court.
Given these two requisites, his
transition to commercial and in¬
dustrial life is rapid.
Acid experience in meeting and
handling problems and persons in
alt strata of society as a member of
a service noted for its 1 attention to
detail, and you have | the answer
as i;o why business finds ex-G-men
well equipped to assume executive!
positions. |
Locally, the list of occupations of;
former G-men varies 'widely. The 1
predominant peace-time pursuit is
t.he'private practice of \ law. This is;
closely followed 'by occupations in-;
voicing the use of legal training,'
such as oil land rental and lease,
real estate mortgages, claim investi-i
gat ions and labor relations. I
. However, t.he local industries and!
businesses which have found use for
G-man trained ex-agents are as.,
varied as the .composite..-industrial
picture of Houston.
They include, life and property ;
insurance companies,. |casualty in? '
sura nee, oil companies and trails?
portation. Kx-agents are. employed
as public relations'councMtdrii, ac? j
countants, investment! consultant? ,
and supervisors, and personnel dll ;
rectors. j j
J Cn t.he national scene, John S.
jBugas. young F. B. |I. graduate,
'heads Ford Motor company's de-j
partment of labor relations, where!
he has marie an outstanding
showing^ j
Melvinv Purvis, who directed t.he
roundup /bf John Dillinger in 1935
in Chicago, left the F. B. I. in 1936.'
.Shortly afterwards he entered the;
newspaper publishing field,. and
la'tcjr bought, a radio station. | Dur-
'Jngj World War II he. was “a colonel,
in army intelligence, a|rank he still
holds in the peace-time army.. 1
.. A' co-worker with Purvis/ on the
pillinger case 1 was RalphY Brown,
ftdjy vice president*in chargfe of the
New York office of'.Braun'&t Co.;
public | relations and 'management
firm. ' i. <
Some other • well;known 1 ex¬
agents who occupy prominent po-'-
sitioiVs in the business world are
JohnAlIanson,' director of person-
’ nel, 'jjbekheed Aircraft,- company,
California; Franki\Fay, vice, presl-"
dent 'of Macy’s department store,:,
; rNew I York City, and ' Francis'
I
I
I
— si vision of -—
PRESS IirjSLLIGSKCS
covmmtr
■ I2EOBMA2ION SERVICE
BUREAU 0? SHE BUDGET
Tcroo .V Bldg.
S JX,
cf
Spe-
Neva and Courier
Charleston, S. C.
690 #2
.“^44R101047
? ’ . - ,
P mis Seeking
Full Purchase Of
Florence Station
! WASHINGTON. March rtr;
Lt.i. 'rhe former G-man who ended
J the relgrt ofVohn Dillinger a* Pub-
*hc Enemy No. 1 was in Washin S t6n
'Monday seeking .authority to ex-
Ipand hif'radio interest*.
Melvia'Purvis, who the**#**
"'last sMirch foT DUIinger and .headed
the detail which shot the desperado
1 downpn the streets* Ch cago alter
Uhe 'woman 'In red put the linger
on r him, now is practicing hwta
Florence—oo the sloe
owner of the stock of * a radio *ta-
^Purvis^Was here to confer with.
Fed ral Communications commis-
fion official?concerning' hi* appUj
eati n to purchase the entire stoclj
of ] ie Florence station. In additiorJ
he conferred with Senator
and renewed acquaintances among
the FBI Washington staff. __
i i
« 1
7 / *
\s
Mr. Tolaon ^
Mr., E. A. Tamm.
Mr. Clegg.
^ 'Mr. Glavin.
/HiMr. *Ladd.
. X V .Mr. Nichols , *^ r ‘
Mr. Rosen„_
Mr. Tracy_
‘Mr. Carson.
■Mr. Egap
Mr, Gurnea^
Mr. Harbo_
Mr, Hendon.
Mr. Jones_
Mr. .Leonard
/Mr. Pennington_
>Mr. Quinn Tamm..
»Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
-*>v
.+>+£,‘11 have toen « en «
.vvrito death* aqd executed.
•Since.the Cohiinform’s quar-
• «l- with '"Tito began • in March,
ande^stJ^Vere instituted in
'April, it is 'fair to assume that
these'men were executed ,be-
> cause - they were 'involved in > a
.conspiracy' against Tito’s -<re-
tgime. “
They were all old Moscow
.agents. Janko PufJer, for -in-
j i stance, 'had been,chief of the
* , ',jCitu*Xs *.*» 1 i
In ‘the 'trials, Juranicz, ith’e
Foreign Office official, confessed
1 to having ; belonged to the scien¬
tific ^section of the staff ; at
• Dachau ■ * ah<T IV have killed •
•thousands of .prisoners;with his
own hands.'.
; Dil and 'Baric were in*.the
f same service , 1 under; the. notor¬
ious ■ German war criminal, :Pro-
,‘fessor S’chnelling,'-condemned'to
‘death by, the .Americans.
iPrcsterl.confessed that, in'the
service of: Himmler, .he had' put
WaMVU VAASA •O&ff «.
elevated' to.power <k± CviU'i
- tion Hot these services' to • com- i
•munism and then charged and ■
'hanged for • the very crimes by ‘
swhich• they came;to,power,-re- !
quires a Dostoevski—'or ari^oest-
. ler—adequately to -.relate.
the type affinity between'Conri
muhists . arid'jNazis .long, has
•been. observable: absolute - con¬
tempt, for all ethics, brutal Cal¬
lousness to human 'suffering,
'acceptance , of the 'theory that
f the * end,‘Justifies any s means.
ik iIEsar® Wfif!©©®,
‘NEW YORK. — Millionheiress
(Hope .Hampton, * who,‘has 16
.phones in her -T7-foot-wide Park
Ai/e. 'house, .including two that
life lunsinkable .which ;sh'e uses,
; is, her bawth, * has' added i to • her
l hardships a freckleproof . auto¬
mobile that I (have ‘nicknamed
(a "Hampton cab,"
The duchess-of Parte. Ave.’s
< attractive fiance. Attorney; Sin¬
clair * Robinson, . flits ■ about in ’a
,'Buick roadmaster convertible, i
.*He' likes to ride ,with the . top,.
■ down.
‘But i the duchess.. or ‘.‘Hopie,"
being blonde, detests the sun uri-
dess it's spelled’ "son"'(or.even
‘“Robinson") - ' ,
)So "Sink" in a. labor of To ve
for the. bedlamonded Mrs.. Jules
,- Broulatour, who was a famous
s aetress and Is now a celebrated ‘
• first ’ nigh ter, • decided to j get * a
special < auto top ; Just to, Cover
•her share of-the .front seat. It?
would be. In effect, a' 3-quarter
> convertible . car, the remaining
■ one-fourth having a regular top,
to shield her fair skin from the
, sum ( ’
•I you don’t think that’s tough,
1 to . et, try it.
'*• went all over town/',Rob-
1 ins< n,, who’s one of our leading
'banisters, told me.
Most people I talked-to 1 said,
S *what's a’matter—you crazy or
sompin’ ?” (,
^Finally Z found one <.-ho said.
(he could. make it but it «ffoula
cost me. s,
“Well,; I have to have; it-for,
the-duchess!" * -1
it .to'her'at her Park Ave. quad-
truplex, the duchess said, “Oh;
’horrors! -The -sun icould ; still.
sneak 1 in from the side , 1 The .spe¬
cial! .section- or '"pahthouse,"
-which had been designed for.her,
.had only-a’-top covering.’'“Sink’’
had’'the man.(make ‘side - cur¬
tains for-her*so she’could shut
the sun 'out entirely, ,
- And that she Tikes. ! .i '
“1 -drive ialong '.with all the
top''down—except .her own spe¬
cial* top .for Just • her seat—and
' they: think •’ I’m chauffeur and .1
have a queen.in there,” he'told
' me -yesterday, outside ‘ the, Hotel
Plaza. ,, , '? , '. ■
1 "And I do,” he safd, smooch¬
ing her,‘tenderly. , ’
■ ‘ I - told the 4 duch ess -. I was
*.ing blonde! -I-'hate - suntan and
sunburn. ,‘It /makes me sick."
<Her.' special! top'Ts probably ’ the
only one-in'the’world? AH it
needs is<a telephone*and;since
she even 'has 'a .phone ’in her
fapartment -elevator .(‘‘it’s ■ a
'phoney,",-she says) she may get
-one. . •
I, told the 4 duchess ,1'was »cx-pubiicisv, to no: a special (Job
awfully stupid and ? didn’t. get ' f | io * him again .. .'Melvin Purvis,
lit. - • „ • (j among others, iis investigating
osjoueness: 1 — a, ./aneoueness
.But when he arrived to exhibt^rfrbm fighting.
"You. remember Jack * Spratt f
could eat no'fat and his wife !
could eat no lean ?’\the duchess
said. ’
“Well,'I can’t, stand'sun‘.and
he can’t'stand , shade'so we' get
‘together.” ,
' On the - hottest, afternoon 'he
drives along ; with‘ the duchess
enclosed in her own ' compart-
.ment with no; sun. reaching her.
He is blissfully baking in.It.
'"If she;wants to talk to me
tall she has to dot)’.knock and
I’ll lift the , side curtain ” he •
said.'
“And if I want to talk to her
' all, I'* have -; to * do is- wiggle, my
finger * and >' tell s her * X . want ^ to
come in,”,’he added. >,
.The duchess said,'"it keeps us-.
I recent' Axmf, plane crashes with'
P a .view jLo : sabotage possibilities
. ... Joey .Adams says all Russia’
is• Importing.,now.'",is ..its 1 own
diplomats.
-Dinah Shore was given a fare-
-■well party prior; to her trip! to
> London to play the Palladium..«
"Mrs. Jimmy -Doolittle enter¬
tained her daughter-Iri-Iaw. be¬
fore the latterJeft for Japan to
■ loin her":husband . • . Rasputin,,
■ famous. * Chicago ' manager, s is
i here, wearing? his . specially de-
i signed tie which t reads; “have
„ you read Earl .Wilson ?" (clever -
!boy!) , :<* . |
.Blow her,top! " j!
The mfdnight?Eart ; /. . /
What> hot: (^ew Y<ik Cityf
. . Lana-Turner’s becf -makiii, ,
her i own' beds \in • Romk (chamJ
; bermaids .'strike) (the'poooooor
kid!... They say Gov. .Dewey’s
f trying - to *get-(Lem ’Jones,his
: ex-publicist,, to do; a Special!Job
IN REPLY, PLEASE REFER TO
FILE NO,.
U-
Tvte" »
Stebrral (Bureau of Imiestigatum
United §tatca Bepartmeut of Justice
305 Realty Building
Savannah, Georgia
September 2, 1948
AIR MAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY
Direotor, FBI
ATTENTION* Mr. D.
Assistan
Ret MELVIN PURVIS
MISCELLANEOUS
Dear Sir*
Per telephonic reqi
Division, SA PAUL CHRISTIAN, r<
lina, discreetly oontaoted M* C."
and former prominent newspaperman of Florenoe^ and ascertained frcm
him that Mr. MELVIN PURVIS is still in Floreno^ South Carolina,
andhas not been oontaoted by the Department of,the Amy to con¬
duct any investigations for it. " '
NBWjCLT
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CQH JAK A
PAPER CUP.PINgW
67-21623- Hot .recorded
•THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR,
.INDIANAPOLIS, urn.,
OCTOBER 7, 1949.
RBI AGENT TURNED POET BUST JDZLLXNGBR 'KITH'
i //) j, i f/ I* ^ f I
The "woman in red” who lurecTXJoKh Dilllnger to his death wasn't
wearing red at all. SI says 'James J. Metcalfe, a former FBI agent who
was in on the-kill.
Metcalfe, who writes the feature, "Portraits," appearing daily
on the back page of The Star, switched from running down criminals to
-wriging down poetry.
IN INDIANAPOLIS ;for a series of lectures sponsored by The Star,
Metcalfe turned his thoughts back to a July night in 1934 at the Biograph
"heater in Chicago.
%en a young agent assigned r to the Chicago FBI office, Met¬
calfe "was therewith gun in hand "when Dillinger's crime career ended
in a hail of bulets.
"I didn’t kill him, but .he was Mlled . ,. . that’s what we
wanted," Metcalfe said.
Anna Sage, who won international notoriety as the "woman In
red," actually was wearing an orange skirt that night, Metcalfe recalls.
It just looked red under 'the glare of the theater's neon lights.
' THE IIEKVOUSNEGS of Melvin Purvis, .FBI agent in charge that
night, is another -feature that sticks in Metcalfe's' memory. The poet
recalls that Purvis was .supposed to light up a cigar as a signal when
Dillinger emerged from the theater. , ^
a d
Purvis used up 10 matches and never did get th^^st^le going,
‘Metcalfe said. *V«2
Another famous case on which Metcalfe worke d theikidnipjngi' of
Mrs. Alice Speed Stoll_had Indianapolis as the principal' .setting.
The wealthy Louisville society matron was held prisoner Tor
six days In an apartment house on North Meridian -Street before being
released.
1' • -ij i.,v
-1 -
,aoft JAK
Paper u lip-dng
*HB INDIANAPOLIS MAR ■»-
PBI AGENT -TURNED
po ;t bums nr lunger 'myth*
of the ? ^S r/ h Bob J nson Jr -> brought her to the heme
ChJih h * Arnold c IegS, Pastor of the Capitol Averue Methodist
Ohur.ch, after parent of $50,000 ransom.
looking sc ? ured 20'blocks of North.Meridian Street
, ..^ kidnap hideout. At ;ono time he was in the same apartment
building where Mrs. Stoll was being held without knowing it! P
Karpis-Barker a m!b. Wrked th ® Ca * aa ° f • Baby ^ c " *«**■^
„ qo - T turned from being a G-Man to journalism in 1935
Jj rv, H bave a P ro ^essj on to turn to in -time of need." He took a
fep^ter ent o2rSf* V° in < the Chicago i'imes as a rewriteman and
f his nrst alignments was an investigation which
■resulted in an expose of -the German-American ^und.
. _ , -Aether of his projects was a 20,00G-word .serial on the life,
loves and adventures of Errol Flynn. ’
, Lik8 fouflary persons who have become prominent in writing,
Metcalfe has a Hoos.ier background. **
„ , . ® b °? th 4 ® nd 1915 until 1922 and attended
grade school and high school operated by the University of Notre Dame.
.Metcalfe started wriging "Portraits" in 1938, taking the
coiumn over from his brother, John, who .had written it .in prose lor
the Chicago Times.
■the new author tried to write it in a humorous vein for the
first year and received a grand total .of two letters from his public.
Then he switched to homey poems about love, philsophies of
loie and commonplace -things, the mail began to pour in by the sack.
It's still coming.
• i
. He's published more-that 5,000 of the brief poems strung
together with dots and believes he pan .continue the dally stint as long
as he lives without running out of ideas..
m , HiMGAUK .SPOKE .yesterday at a meeting of the Advertising Club,
xoday, he will address Butler University journalism students -in ’he
morning, broadcast over Station HIRE between 12:15 and 1:55 p.m., and
be guest at a Press Club dinner pa ty at night.
•'4
- 2 -
J
00 V MK MTiV ■
Paper Clipping ^p ’ ~
THTC TNDIAmPOLT,' r>P — FBI AIRHT J' PN-'i PO-;? PlilTF DimtrRH HTTt"
Tomorrow, he will apeak at a noon luncheon of the Altrusa
Club, preside at an atttograoh party for two of his books, ''Poem Portraits"
and "Garden In By Heart," at William H. Block Company at 2 p.a., and will
be special guest, at a dinner to be given by the Indianapolis -Aerie of the
Fraternal Order of Ragl°s at night.
A tousle-headed man of 43, Metcalfe lives in Dallas, Tex.
He .writes all his poetry in the ea ly morni ng hours after mid¬
night an I devotes much of his tine to his children, Kristina Maria,
6, Jimmie, 16, and Donnie, 12.
Mia next book, "Happy Time Rhythms,'" will be dedicated to
Kristina. It is scheduled .for publication next spring and the cVId
can hardly wait until "my book" is published, Metcalfe said.
- 3 -
0 ■.'" TRttiSt
JAN IS 1984
MR* NICHOLS
MR*, JOHNS
September 29, 1949
T
BOON REVIEW
"WHERE UT SHADOW NALLS"
AUTHOR, LEON 0* TURROU ,
. A
following ie a review of the book "Where Mg Shadow Nolle"
(Two Decades of Crime Detection J, copyrighted 1949 by Leon 0 *
Turrou) published by Doubleday and Company, Inc*, 14 West 49th
Street, New fork 20, New fork) price $2*50*
In the prologue author Leon 0* Turrou's first words are, "What
is a G-Man?" He asks "What about him is truth and what about him
ts legend?" Bis introduction to the book which the author states
deals with his experiences over the twenty years he served as an in¬
vestigator with the TBI and the Criminal Investigative Division of
the Army during the war, offers the author's answer* Turrou asserts
that the highly qualified agent of the NBI who is possessed of a
deep refined sense of duty is deservtng of the public's respect and
admiration* The G-Man, whose motto is "Nor God, Nor Country, and
Nor John Edgar Hoover," the author states, is deserving of the flat¬
tery of legend which his achievements may have accorded him.
Eight of the thirteen chapters in "Where My Shadow Nalls,"
written in the first person, recount cases on which the author
worked as a Special Agent of the NBI *
Initially, Turrou tells of his assignment to the Chicago
Office, headed by SAC E* J, ConnelMy* Turrou recounts hts first
assignment which resulted in the apprehension of a fugittve who had
escaped from Leavenworth Nenttenttary* Turrou telle graphically
how his knowledge of Polish enabled him to overhear a conversation
tn which the location of the fugittve was given* The arrest which
Turrou made single-handedly and unarmed, was a complete violation
of regulations and authority and Turrou describes the reprimand
Mr* ConnelNy gave him tn that regard) however, Turrou notes Connelly*s
satisfaction for the able handling of the case and Turrou later
received a letter of commendation from Director Hoover, tn vhich
the latter commended Turrou's handling of the case*
Toloo c
"That's the Game" is the subtitle given to turrou's aocount
—of the downfall of dpectai Agent John Hillard, assigned to the
—Chicago Offioe* He had achieved a good reputation for tnvestiga-
w —li ve ability* One of Willard's cases was assigned to Turrou who
Trmc r inm mdiately apprehended an individual for whom the Bureau had long
xm-d o be en searching* The apprehension resulted in the unoovering AA'&v
4*ng htitorl of falsification on th* part of WtUari tn hts reporting
•l*V
*
JAN 1£ moo
mow,
T*l*. "RCKJtt,
JlJCtcjh
*' ■
of investigations conducted, jt wae discovered that Willard had
boon preparing oaoo reports tohioh reflected lengthy interviews,
extended surveillances and active attempts to apprehend, all of
which were fabrications «
Turrou's account of the situation tn which he was approached
by on oocapod convict who took Turrou into his confidence, thus
divulging his identity, is entitled, "Round Trip to Atlanta*"
Herein, Turrou states that he and another Agent, Ton Tracy, had
been waiting tn an airport terminal for a plane to Hew *ork when
an individual approached hin and stated he believed Turrou toas an
expoonvict* Turrou describes how, with this individual, plans
were made to rob a federal Bank, ond in the course of these plans
the escapee's identity was learned and he was returned to the
Tenttentiary*
Turrou devotes a chapter entitled "The Xing of Convicts n to
an acoount of Turrou's solution of rackets tn an unidentified
prison* Turrou relates that he was on off total business at a penal
institution for the purpose of interviewing on inmate whom Turrou
had been instrumental in sendtng there* Thie innate, who wae to
have fumtehed Turrou information concerning an automobtle theft,
described to Turrou a prison racket which had grown to such pro~
porttone that everyone took ordere and paid-off to one of the in~
aotoo* Turrou lengthily describee the various rackets which in-
eluded the pay-off of prieon officials, blackmatl of prominent
inmates and luxurious livtng on the part of the prisoners in con¬
trol* Turrou tells how, with this information, he was able, with
the help of high prison officials, to completely clean up the pri¬
son rackets* He makes mention of reforms which he irecommended tn
his case reports and which were adopted by the prison*
The first international kidnaptng oaee in the history of
the United States, the abduction of Ouillaume Rosen, ie dealt with
by Turrou wider the chapter entitled "The Way Bvtl pise*" Turrou
explains that because of his proficiency in Trench he was placed
in charge of the case by Mr* Hoover* Working with Agents of the
Treasury department, the case was successfully solved* Turrou
lengthily and graphically describes the beatings on<s oftoeee Rosen
suffered at the hands of hie abductors*
um
CUM
_ u The Saga of the USS Akron" is Turrou's aocount of sabotage
wi the dirigible built by the Goodyear Company at Akron* Turrou
la tee how he wae placed tn charge of the case and wae able to
. '•—discover the individuals responsible for the sabotage being a on-
Mefcoji
>08M
, ■*■*•»*.
MOW.
Httied* The chief perpetrator was Haul Xassey, a ^militant Marxist*
Turrou describee how he was able to gain the confidence of these
individuals and how his investigation contributed toward tfce oor-
uu.roov_p«ot<en of .aeny of the defects in the USS Akron* Turrou explains
Meeee ± _ _
OWKlT
HGS f
^ IP 1984
- 2 -
V
that by a quirk of fat* he had boon unable to acquire the complete
drawings of the sabotage tdiioh had been effected, including the
location of faulty rivets, and for thte reaeon, the Akron, which
was coumiaetoned and placid in service, later crashed and burned*
Turrou states that although the catastrophe had been labeled an
"Act of God" by naval spokesmen, Turrou r o conscience was clear
inasmuch as he had advocated that the USS Akron should never have
been launched •
Turrou tells of his handling of an extortion case in "letter*
of Blood," one of the two stories related in the chapter entitled
"Detour on Saey Street*" The other story, "The Big Sold Mirror, "
is a etory of a banker who is fleeced of hie money and killed .
*The Big Gold Mirror" makes no mention of Turrou, the TBI or any
other investigative agency • It is rather unrelated to the whole »
Turrou r o account of the Lindbergh kidnaping is entitled
"The Lindbergh Tragedy*" Herein Turrou relates hew he was named
as one of the members of the "Lindbergh Squad" which included
Special Agents Thonaa H» Sisk, Wayne Merrick, William Sorry, J* i*
Seykora, A » Sandburg and Horry Leslie* Turrou explains that the
TBI had been ordered into the case by President Herbert Hoover
and that instruction* were to work tn close cooperation with the
New fork and New Jersey local and state police* Turrou telle of
the hundreds of false leads which were covered in their attempt
to looate the kidnaper ♦ He devotee three and one-half pages to
hie description of the attempt to locate the abductor by means
of a mystic* The latter tndivtdual claimed to be able to lead
the Agents to the kidnaper by means of visions which came to him
while in a trance* Turrou telle of the futility of their inves¬
tigation until September IS, 1934, when a ransom bill was reported
to have been received at a New fork bank* This lead was covered
by Special Agent SUk . ft led to the apprehension of Bichard
Bruno Hauptmann• Turrou discuses* the questioning of Hauptmann,
hie refusal to confess, hie trial and hie execution*
"It Started in Sden" telle of the TBI campaign against vice
by means of the enforcement of the Mann Act* Turrou discusses
prostitution tn detail* He discusses why, for various reasons,
the Mann Act, which wae originally enacted tn 1910, had bean in a
state of disuse and why, in 1936, the TBI initiated action to
enforce it* Turrou states that Mr* Hoover had called htm in and
Turrou drew up a series of plane for an attack on organised vice ♦
Be telle of various raids made, extensive wire tapping conducted
and of criticism resulting from the raids* He makes observations
regarding the control Of the problem* Turrou defends prostitution
and lengthtly deals wtth the necessity for and benefits of legali¬
sation and federal control of prostitution* B* points out the
failure of the Trench to outlaw proetttutton as argument for hie
advocated course •
■JMl<
i9 1
3
* v
Turrou states that he was assigned by Hr* Hoover to direct
the FBI counterattack against the Hast spy ring in 1938* Turrou re
aocount of hie investigation is .contained in the chapter, ,The
Crooked arose in the united .States Me telle how a vast network
of German aliens in America were entrenched in industry and govern¬
ment* Be relates how investigation led to the arrest of Dr* Ignats
Oriebl who ie described ae the Humber One Hast spy in Jynertoa* Ms
telle how eighteen persons were indicted in Hew York on espionage
chargee, and that the confessions of Dr* Griebl, Gunther Runrich >
Jenni Hofmann and others involved sceree of individuals, "Because
of legal difficulties," Turrou states, "we could only prosecute
fourj Runrich, Hofmann and the German aliens Srioh Glaser and
Otto Herrmann Yesei" Turrou states that the ferreting out of
spies by the FBI had no precedent* Be states that methods then
developed have since become standard procedure and he declares
that in 193? the United States was confronted by the threat of
militant Hasten* At this time the threat is Communism* With this
transition Turrou comments on the great danger of Communist
eeptonage within this country* He declares that steps must be
taken to combat Communist to influence in the United States, but
that these alone Would not be sufficient* Turrou states that in
vtew of the threatening cataclysm of atomic war we must become ideo¬
logical aggressors, and that the newly organised central Intelligence
Agency was conceived with this in mind* The CXA, states Turrou,
takes advantage of the fad that American tourists, students and
businessmen are scattered throughout the world* The American
Government, he states, feels that it is completely Justified if
some of these have been previously trained for eeptonage and eabo-
tage . Turrou points out that the CIA is lamentably undermanned
and asserts that Congress must reuse itself, that this is an age
of speed and vigor and pussy-footing is the way to catastrophe *
Turrou f e reference to the , task in this connection within our court-
try ie set forth as followet "The most difficult Job of culling
Communists from the productive and political life of the nation
continues at heme, but the issues are so confused and the methods
so awkward that the prooeee con only be called bungling* Commu-
ntets are ordinary people that do not wear identifying tnsigniaj
they do not shout their views on afreet corners / they do not carry
concealed weapons • This makes weeding them out difficult*"
Turrou devotee a chapter to hie "Days of Transition*>' He
states that he resigned from the FBI immediately after indictments
were returned in the Hast spy casei 8J*Seasont "I^toas certain
^hdt Hast Agents would continue to infiltrate into the country and
threaten our security . AfricanJeelattonieU were trying to rock
the Bceile to sleep. I felt it my duty to tell w* people the
facts, to wake them up to the menace of foreign spies and of the
Fifth Column . I could only do this tn an unofficial capacity, as
a citisen of the united States*"
l AT*
i
Jh
irjT;
•PA
y
- 4 -
-V
The balance of Turrou's book dial* *etth hie experienoee
white in the tJhitod States Army* Turrou relates that he enlisted,
that He was assigned as a Private to training at fort Riley,
Kansas, and that it was by chance that he ran into a Lieutenant
Colonel at Tort Custer, Michigan* the latter officer was Melvin
Purvis, former Special Agent of the PBI, who was then serving as
the administrator of an Army school for investigators* Purvis,
'Utterly miserable" that Turrou was an enlisted man, immediately
arranged for Turrou to gain a direct commission i as a first Ltsu-
tenant in the Corps of Military Police ♦
i i
The author states that he was assigned to the forth African
Theatre of operations vh ere he was appointed Chief Xnvesttgator
and Assistant Director of the CID in forth Africa* Me speaks of
the magnitude of that group's task and of the painful shortage of
personnel 4 The Job performed was primarily that of cleaning up
blaek marketing and Turrou describes the solutions to various
problems and practices which confronted the Army investigators*
The author reports an assignment which ted him to come into
personal contact with General George S* Patton* Patton at the time
wae tn an inactive status in Mictly by reason of his much-publicised
slapping of a psychs-nsuratic soldier.* The General believed that
Turrou and Purvis, who had been s ent to Sicily to investigate another
matter, were in fact there to team the details of the slapping
incident± Turret* explains that tn spite of the denials on the part
of himself and Purvis, Patton clung to this beltsf and commented
lengthily on the affair. Patton's attitude of regret and shams
was tnoorpsrated into a report submitted by Purvis and Turrou, in
Which they stated categorically that General Patton's tmmobilixa—
tion was an tnjusttoe ts him as well as to the war s\ffort* Turrou
concludes by remarking, "Patton cuiokly Joined the Allied battle
and fought his way into history*"
CROWGASS, Central Registry of War Criminals and Security
Subjects - was set up in Paris and Turrou relates details of the
efforts of this agency to identify and locate war criminals*
Turret* statee that he, as Operational Chief of CRQWQASS, tons
charged with setting up the investigative machinery tn this "greatest
manhunt in history* Turrou states that probably ISO to 300 war
criminals were located daily by CB0TCA3S* A thirty-five per cont
failure to locate and apprehend wanted individuals was attributed
by the author to Russia and its policy of non-cooperation. Dis¬
cussing Russia's attitude toward the operation, Turrou to lat®%
incidences which ted him to believe that Mitler, listed b\lOBOW-
CASS as their Runbsr One criminal, is still alive today* Turret*
states that in conversation with 4n*&ue£fa°a5« ibtHf
- s •-
secretive detention*
the met important investigation Turrou had ever conducted,
the author states, was that deearibed tn the laet paragraph of hie
fcook* Herein he telle of notification of hie son $ s death and of
Turrou** subsequent investigation to verify this and to locate the
body of hie eon, who was killed October 16, 1943, in Italy •
OBSERVATIONS t In the preface, author Leon Q, Turrou stated he wrote
hie book "not the lees for my own gratification than for the edifi¬
cation of an abstract publicHis success in first purpose is
evident - self-glory and personal aggrandisement arsyooupled with
factual distortion and editorial dishonesty to defena his second
,avowed aim,
Turrou f e prologue eulogises the Bureau, Hie purpoee is
seemingly only to enhance his awn stature. He makes rsference to
the Agent** quest for information whtoh results *n his trsading
softly on tho hallowed ground of State** Htghts, But, says Turrou,
uncooperative policemen will find themselves on the Bureau** black
list, cut off from available services, Xn this same discussion
Turrou makes reference to the society of former Special Agents of
the TBit givtng implication that he is a member of that group, He
purports to recount his experiences over the twenty years he served
as an tnvestigator with the TBX and with GID during the war* His
chronicle is one of dramatic action which is colored and implausible
to the degree that even the unconditioned reader will question some
of his material, for example, hie ”Round Trip to Atlanta,” ”The
Xing of the Convicts,” and ”The Btg Gold Mirror” appear to be
largely fictitious incidents which make gripping ”crime storied”
whether or not they are based on any semblance cf fact, Turrou **
experiences as related afford him the opportunity to pass on various
subjects of a controversial nature, including his advocation of
legalisation and federal control of prostitution and his assertion
that Adolf Hitler is still alive and being held by the Russians /or
some opportune moment for release, Turrou shows talent in the use
ef abstract references and editorial devices which place him tn
charge of an in vs stt gat ton” or ”the man who solved the case **t*
style is highly readable and fast-moving even while it is sometimes
verbose and given to personal laudation.
It is to be noted 'that personnel records of formor and preoent
assigned __ _ _
dishonesty Of n Special Agent John Willard” cannot be established as
factual on the baste of name.
Turrou achioveo the role of an <nd<u<dua2 of oxtremo tnvos-
- 6 - JAN If TSW
ttgatiif* ability and ana who oooupied a high lac* in the investi¬
gative history of the Bureau on the basis of his accounts «
To excerpt textual evidence and so document the author's
departure fran truths hts coloring of fact, ond his devices for
personal aggrandisement te to recount the stories he hae told *
ROTE* In the October iesue of Reader's Digest, page 4S, "Saboteurs
for Profit n is reprinted as a partial condensation of Turrou's book*
In description of the author, the following information is set forth
with the article* "Tor nine years an outstanding FBI Agent, Leon
0* Turrou, helped solve many notable oases, among them the Lindbergh
kidnaping » In 1936, after his investigation of eighteen persons,
he resigned from the TBI and wrote the best-seller, *Rani Spies in
America*' In World War II he was decorated twice by the United
States Army, three times by the Trench•*
AUTHOR * Leon G% Turrou entered on duty with the Bureau as a
Special Agent, 4-1-29 » He was assigned to Chicago 4-22-29 ond to <<
Row Work City 7-18-30 * On 6-20-38 he was dropped wtth prejudice
from the service • The personnel file concerning this individual re¬
flects a long record of violations of trust and exhibitions of
personal dishonesty « Hts dismissal was immediately occasioned by
his selling details of an official investigation of the espionage
operations of a Sermon spy rtng to newspapers in such a manner as to
cause this Bureau's great concern and embarrassment • Turrou's capi¬
talisation on hts service wtth the Bureau, financially or otherwise,
has extended over the years since his dismissal * He has frequently
corresponded with the Director, requesting that his dismissal be
voided and that hts resignation be accepted * All of •these requests
have been refused * The file further reflects tnquti'es from got*tm-
ment end private agencies regarding Turrou «
This correspondence reflects he has frequently falsi¬
fied the circumstances surrounding the termination of his employ¬
ment . As recently as 1-27-49, a letter was received from Colonel
Trends T+ Howard, CMP, Provost Marshal General, Department of the
Army, Washington 25, D • C* The letter, which made inquiry concern¬
ing the service record of Turrou, indicated that the information
was desired due to the pending return to the United Htates of Major
Leon 0* Turrou, who was then being considered as to his suitability
for further assignment * Colonel toward woo advised that Turrou would
not be eligible for re-employment wt th the FBI and that he had been
d r tipped from thes ervice of this Bureau with prejudice • The person¬
nel file further oontains a memorandum reporting a conversation in
which Lieutenant Colonel Xarl Rash, in charge of CID work in the
European Theatre of operations, is convinced that Turrou, and other
incompetents, had received Army commissions through the finagling
of Melvin Purvis . Colonel Rash stated that Turrou had received
JAN 19 i934
hts promotions ae a result of extensive loans to Purvis and that
Purvis was in debt to Turrou in the amount of $11,000*00* It is
further reflected that in 1948 Turrou was the subject of nuoh
consternation within the Department of State because of allegations
that he, as Chief Compliance Officer, Off tee of foreign Liquidation
Commission, teas involved in illegal dealings in the disposal of
war surplus property in francs*
‘mm cf
P* fBzp&xhiteni sd Huafea
Post Office Box 818,
Chicago, Illinois.
July 1st, 1935
Director,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
United States Department of Justice,
Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th Street, N.W.,
Washington, D. C. (q *1 If q ^
Dear Sir, :
In compliance with Section 35 of the Manual 'of Rules
and Regulations, the following information is submitted: v
(a) Marital status:
Unmarried.
(b) Names of Societies or organiza- Kappa Alpha ('Sbutheru)y
tions with which connected:
(c) Legal Residence:
(d) Education:
(e) Person to be notified in
emergency:
(f) Relatives in Government
Service:
(g) Office of preference:
College social fraternity.
Tiramonsville, S. C.
Graduated Timmonsville, S* C.
High School; LL.B. degree.
University of South Carolina.
Mr. M. H. Purvis,
Timmonsville, S. C.
None.
Chicago, Illinois.
Very truly yours,
M. H. PURVIS,
Special Agent in Charge
JAN 12 UC*
MHP:mwc
at.'
’W
placi
*o, Illinois
Special Agent
in Charge
I. DEGREE :
LL.B.
/
I. H. PURVIS
Date June 20,1954
SCHOOL :
University of
South Carolina
LOCATION:
Columbia, S. C.
1
II. BARS:
South Carolina
YEAR ADMITTED :
1925
III. CERTIFIED PUBL IC
ACCOUNTANTS:
YEAR:
IV. LANGUAGES:
INDICATE DEGREE OF PROFICIENCY:
V.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS :
(Vocations, avocations, and
miscellaneous qualifications.)
INDICATE DEGREE OF PROFICIENCY:
&
r/
DIVISION OF INVESTIGATION
QCI 5 1934 A1
U. S. DEPARTMENT Of JUSTICE
CH CLK, o:v }
Special Agent in Charge.
MehAn H, Purvis
kl-1489
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